Only in Hope Toward God

Only in Hope Toward God

“Only in hope toward God is my soul quiet; from Him comes my salvation.”

It takes great humility only to hope in the Lord. In connection with quieting his soul, David says, “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me.” Ps. 131.

A person is restless as long as he makes demands; he is also restless when he thinks he understands something; but if he humbles himself under God’s mighty hand, casting all his cares on Him, he becomes quiet. 1 Pet. 5:6-7.

The intention is that we shall rest in God. And we who believe enter into rest. Heb. 4:3. There is no other reason besides a person’s own sin that makes him restless in life’s difficulties. We have to humble ourselves to acknowledge that, so we can be purified.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” 1 Pet. 4:12. If a person does not realize that he has to purify himself, he will think it strange, and if he is not sufficiently humble to realize that he has to humble himself in order to purify himself, he will also think it strange.

Gold is purified in the fire, and as long as there are bubbles in the crucible, it contains slag; but once the slag has been removed, the bubbles cease. It is simply sin that makes us restless. Why is a person not quiet when he has come to faith and is surrendered to God, believing that He cares for him and has counted all the hairs on his head?

There isn’t a calamity in a city unless the Lord has done it. Amos 3:6. What are you afraid of then? Have you not given yourself into God’s hand? Do you think God will do something that is not for our profit?

When we read in Psalms, we see that David had to endure awful things. They took counsel together to overthrow him. They delighted in lying and were hypocritical before him. They charged against him to break him down. Can we be exposed to anything worse than that? David trusted in the Lord, and his soul was quiet. Why isn’t a person quiet?

“Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Heb. 13:5-6. Why, then, is a person restless?

Being quiet in faith toward God is not the same as refraining from striving or praying. Not at all; for it is written: “Trust in Him at all times you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Ps. 62:8.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7.

When our heart and mind come outside of Christ, unrest, strife, and dissatisfaction enter in. When our hope is in God alone and we have quieted our soul, then we can pour out our hearts before Him. Then we can fight in our prayers for our spouse, our children, our neighbors, circumstances at work, and for the church. The ten spies were not at rest in their battle, but Joshua and Caleb were. It is easy enough to hear and see when people are in a battle whether they are at rest or not.

It is quite common for people to try to avoid difficulties, to flee from them instead of pouring out their hearts before God and receiving wisdom to face them or live through them. James writes in this connection: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.” 2 Cor. 10:3-6.

Only in hope toward God can we receive this quietness, this rest, so we can receive wisdom from above, these mighty weapons for God, and stand, having overcome all things. Eph. 6:13.