Despair leads to desperation. It gives up. It is the opposite of hope. When we're in a state of despair, we see no end to our condition—trapped in a dark tunnel.
Hope sees beyond an end point. It sees beyond despair or disappointment. Hope sees an end to difficulties and trusts.
Hope isn't just light at the end of the tunnel, it's confidence in life beyond the tunnel of darkness.
Scripture
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of Dawn.” A psalm of David. (part 2)
But, Lord, don’t be far away. You are my strength; hurry to help me. Save me from the sword; save my life from the dogs. Rescue me from the lion’s mouth; save me from the horns of the bulls. [vss 19-21]
Then I will tell my brothers and sisters about you; I will praise you in the public meeting. Praise the Lord, all you who respect him. All you descendants of Jacob, honor him; fear him, all you Israelites. He does not ignore those in trouble. He doesn’t hide from them but listens when they call out to him. [vss 22-24]
Lord, I praise you in the great meeting of your people; these worshipers will see me do what I promised. Poor people will eat until they are full; those who look to the Lord will praise him. May your hearts live forever! People everywhere will remember and will turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations will worship him because the Lord is King, and he rules the nations. [vss 25-28]
All the powerful people on earth will eat and worship. Everyone will bow down to him, all who will one day die. The people in the future will serve him; they will always be told about the Lord. They will tell that he does what is right. People who are not yet born will hear what God has done. [vss 29-31]
(Psalm 22:19-31 NCV) [Context– Psalm 22]
Key phrase— People who are not yet born will hear what God has done
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Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
After his final plea for rescue, what is the psalmist confident that he will do?
Why does he have this confidence? What does say about the Lord?
What are the other things the psalmist is sure will take place?
What does he speak of that will come in the future? Would this include our present time?
Reflection...
Despair leads to desperation and death brings sorrow. But hope—a genuine trust in God—sees beyond despair and death. We're told that Jesus "endured the cross" and its shame because He a had joy greater than both (Heb 12:2).
What joy did Jesus have? A joy born out of confidence in His resurrection from the dead. Christ's resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian hope in eternal life.
In the latter half of this psalm, many encouraging things are declared. What a reversal of tone from the beginning of the psalm!
King David saw an end to his desperate situation because of his confidence in the Lord. Jesus saw an end to the deadly consequence of sin when He declared on the cross—"It is finished!" (John 19:30)
Jesus brought an end to the hopelessness of death through His own death on behalf of all humanity. Now there's a living hope (1 Peter 1:3) available to all who will embrace it in Jesus.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Have you experienced the hope of God in Jesus?
Is your confidence in God sufficient to help you see beyond trying times?
Have you experienced the freedom of God's forgiveness and restoration in the Lord?
Do you trust in God with confidence and joy?
Would you like a free study guide for your study of Psalms?