Hope in God...

          Some time ago I read Psalm 88. It was subtitled: "A Prayer for Help in Despondency." I, of course, immediately noted the word "despondency", another nice term for "discouragement" and I had an idea of where this Psalm was going. Throughout this psalm, the writer went in depth into his feelings of depression and despair. There seemed no hope for deliverance even as he constantly cried out to God.  By the end of the psalm, I too could have felt discouraged because the psalm felt heavy and depressing as if there was no hope. 
          How many times in our own lives, we go through situations that leave us feeling totally hopeless and in despair? It seems we are crying out to God every day, even every minute of the day for an answer that never seems to come. God seems silent in the midst of a situation that threatens to consume and overwhelm us. We have cried many times: "God how long? When will deliverance come? When will the end of this situation finally come?"
          David had learned to encourage himself in the Lord time and again. No matter what he went through, no matter how hot the battle, he learned to trust God. He put his complete confidence in Him. He cried out to God too, he asked questions, I'm sure he even complained BUT he also TRUSTED in his God. Sometimes, we just have to trust when even trust seems a waste of time. I have learned to use some tools God has provided: praise - it helps to remind me of who is bigger and more powerful, God not the problem; Prayer - it gives the right outlet to vent my frustrations and just throw myself on someone bigger and more able than me; and the Word - as I stand on His Word and on His promises, it gives me much needed hope that if He did it before He'll do it again and what He has promised He will do.
          So, the next time your world seems to be collapsing, try the tools God has provided. I like to call them weapons of warfare  because that's what they are. Use them, that's why God gave them to us. I guarantee you - because I have used them over and over - they will work for you!