Hope, a never-ceasing fountain ㅡ Ps 62 ㅡ

The original Korean text: https://blog.naver.com/stevision/50103307941

 

>> 1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly moved. .... 5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. ... 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. .... 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God; 12 and that to thee, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For thou dost requite a man according to his work. (Ps 62) <<

 

There was a deep well in the center of my home village. This well gave fresh and cool water all year round. This well kept producing the same amount of water, affected neither by drought nor by rain. There was always fine water whenever I went there. The whole neighborhood drank water from the well. At least when it comes to drinking water, all the people of my home village had nothing to worry about. In other words, the inhabitants of my home village do not have any worry in terms of drinking water.

 

People fret when something that they have had has gone away or is out of supply. You will feel anxious and sad when one of your beloved family dies. You'll be nervous if you retire from work next month, maybe because you can earn money no more. People become anxious when their future hope fades away. Some become depressed or even commit suicide because they can't find hope and fall into despair. Our life seems to be living on hope.

 

And how good and fortunate it would be if we have a well of hope that gives us unceasing hopes regardless of external circumstances all year round, like that well which always produces cool and clear water regardless of the precipitation! Is there any well that always gives us a cool hope? How happy we would be if we find out the well of hope! It will be a great gift if we find out the well of hope and introduce it to our family, neighbors, and friends, who are in hopeless situations.

 

Today's text, Ps 62, is David's poem, and David tells us about the fountain of hope he found. David calls us to the fountain of hope today. Jesus said, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' (Jn 7:37-38)" We must shake off the thirst of despair that gives us deadly thirst, once for all, and quench our thirst at the fountain of hope. God said in the Old Testament, "Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? (Is 55:1-2)" David seems to have found the fountain of hope that God promised.

 

But David tells us to beware of false fountains. He says, "Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion. (v. 9)" In other words, he says that all human beings, rich and poor, ignorant and educated, noble and common alike, can not be 'a well of hope' to others. Relying on humans, or false fountains, will inevitably lead to disappointment and to the deepening of despair. But people try to put their hopes on others. Really they do! Of course, you can get good opportunities for the future if you respect your boss and get recognition from him. Sometimes God helps us through our seniors in office. But you may respect them, but must not make them the objects of your hope. Actually such bosses can't give you real help; and since companies prefer employees who are essential to the company today, you'd better not show too much respect to your boss because excessive respect for the boss can be taken as flattery of the incompetent. And most people have their own heavy burdens on their shoulders already, so who can be other's well of hope? You should respect others, but do not expect much help from them. God laughs at the heart that relies on man. He calls such a heart foolish. 'What's the point of trusting in such a weak human being?' God wants us to rely on God, not on man. He gives real help to those who rely on him. Even if a very good man becomes a well of your hope, he will become an ever-dry well if his power, wealth and physical strength run out, and decisively if he passes away.

 

And sometimes people tend to depend on themselves when they do not depend on others, because others' help is questionable, but what they really have can be a sure help. David says that also the well that is in you is a false well. "Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. (v. 10)" When people come to power, they wield it to their heart's content and enjoy life, and think the power will keep them and their family. When a man has great power, he feels human satisfaction and a kind of peace. Those in power don't have to worry about robbers or thugs. Wealth also gives you peace and satisfaction. If you have money right now, your mind will be relaxed and you will become more generous. You feel like meeting your friends without particular business or feel like giving some money to beggars. You'll never be consternated to meet debtors if you have a lot of money. Therefore you live in peace if you have some money. However David, who has been king and had much wealth, says that no one should set his hope on his power and wealth. Perhaps he says so because these two look eternal but vanish away from sight much earlier than expected. David seems to learn this from what happened to Saul. You are a stupid man indeed if you do not learn the futility of power from Saul and his kinsmen who, relying on their power, ran amok. If you put your hope in your power and wealth, you inevitably corrupt and come to downfall. Sometimes God so works that we cannot be helped by others when we depend on them, and sometimes takes away our strength and wealth when we rely on them; in order that he may give us a surer and better eternal well.

 

David speaks confidently, "My hope is from him (from God). (v. 5)" David confesses that God is the source of his hope, the fountain of his hope. David gives three grounds for that. First, God is the well of my hope because power belongs to him (v. 11). Jehovah is the omnipotent and omniscient God the Creator, so his power is without limit and extends to the ends of the earth. He is the King of all kings. He appoints a king and deposes a king. Therefore his will holds good forever. God has the final decision-making authority over us individuals and over all nations. Therefore if God gives us a hope for the future, the hope has more authority than the constitution of a country. And if God gives us the hope of eternal life, the hope is valid forever. Second, God is the well of my hope because of his steadfast love for us (v. 12). Other's love and trust toward me is variable, even my own heart is very fickle, and my position, power, and wealth are all uncertain. But God promises us steadfast love. "Even if your mother may forget you, I will never forget or forsake you! (Is 49:15)" You're called mama's boy if you depend too much on your parents, but you're called a man of great faith if you depend on God very much. My brethren, God never takes advantage of you or betrays you. He is honest and faithful. As long as we believe in his good character, we can receive his love forever. He loves us, so we can have hopes in him. Even evil parents know that they should give good things to their children. Will the God, who is our faithful loving Father, not hear our prayer of hope when he can? Jesus rebuked those who did not have hope in God but were anxious, "You, men of little faith!" The love of God for us never ceases, so he is a never-drying well of our hope. Finally, God is a well of my hope because he repays me according to my works (v. 12). You go to work because you have paydays. These days, many bad employers frequently bilk wages, but God is different from such fraudsters. God is One who pays you back as you have done. One day Jesus said, "Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to others working for me (for Jesus) shall not lose his reward. (Mt 10:42)" We believe in Jesus and have eternal life already. We want nothing more. But we must also believe that all that we do for Jesus henceforth shall not be in vain. Eternal life is one thing, and reward for the work is another. We have a hope of eternal life and a hope of prize. The prize (the reward) is given even in this world. Like this, if we believe in the God of great power who shows steadfast love to us and rewards us for our good deeds, he becomes 'a never-drying fountain of hope' to us.

 

When hope is poured into us from God, the unceasing fountain of hope, our souls will wait for God alone (v. 1). No matter how hard my situations and circumstances may make me dry, the water flowing from the well of hope in me quenches all my thirst. David found this fountain of hope. You too must discover this fountain of hope. As long as we have hope, we will not give up what we want, will not despair, and will not be discouraged. The hope God pours into us becomes a light that shines and guides us in the dark night.

 

Previously, I prayed to God earnestly, "My God, give me hope!" because my future looked so dark and hopeless. I fell asleep that night, and the next morning I heard words of a song, "예수는 나의 힘이요 내 소망 되시니(Jesus is my strength and hope), (The English hymn: Jesus is all the world to me)," just before I woke up from sleep, then I woke up immediately. Oh, yes! Jesus is my hope! Since then, I have lived looking to Jesus more and depending on him more. Yes, my brethren, Jesus is your hope. He is the unceasing fountain of your hope. Believe that he is guiding your life in the best path. Rely on his love and faithfulness, and tell him your wishes also.

 

Hallelujah!

 

Chong Tack Kim

                                 - Dongtoma Sunshine Church -