1. Hope needed: What does it mean to cry out of the depths? Owens found himself in a difficult place early in his life. He felt God's call upon him, but it was going to cost him.
2. Hope must be pleaded. The psalmist is asking for something he can hope in. We can find ourselves in the depths for a variety of reasons. When we are in a place in life where we are crying out to God, "Lord, have mercy on me," that is a beautiful place to be. That is the place of humility.
3. Hope heeded: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope." This is an active waiting, not passive. It is a working waiting, an engaging in obedience.
4. Hope is decreed. When you have been the object of God's saving mercy, you can't be quiet about it. God's love is steadfast to his people. True Christian hope directs our hearts not only to the sovereignty of God in this life, but to the glory of God in the next. |
