Psalm 39:7  – “And now, Lord, for what do I wait?  My hope is in You.”

Most things in life are temporary and changing.  Even love, among humans, can be fleeting and fickle.  When the true source of love lives in us, love is continuous and unshakable.   As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, being totally consumed by God became God’s visible objective for all believers.

In Psalm 39:7, the psalmist asked and answered a probing question.  The trouble of life was engulfing him.  He asked, “And now, Lord, what do I hope in?”   Sometimes, life becomes so convoluted and chaotic that we lose hope.  He looked at his plight and said, “Now what?”  He could have and may have asked “Why?”

Then, the Pslamist, without hesitation, revealed a solid grounding in faith and vision, said, “My expectation is IN You.”   He asked about Hope and said Expectation.  I find that curious and revelatory.

Hope can be a natural longing that is more a wish than a confidence.  His answer revealed something that transcended wishful thinking and longing.  “My Expectation is IN You.” You are the source of my expectation.  You are the confidence of my confession.  You are the supply of my longings and needs.  You are my all.

That’s the heart of Isaiah in Psalm 46.   Although nothing is dependable and everything is shaking in my life, “God is my refuge (place of safety) and strength” (source of provision and power).  A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.”   Out of that confidence, he saw the pathway to peace and victory – “Cease striving (trying to figure it out and do it in your strength) and know that God is God.”

If God IS, then why fret?  I think about Stephen’s recounting of Moses on the mountain.  Moses SAW the pattern of the Ark.  Saw it?  Yes, on the natural mountain, he saw it?  He spent forty days without food or water.   What does that suggest?  On that mountain, Moses encountered a portal that allowed him to step into the heavenly realm, and in God’s presence, He saw and was anchored.  Out of that experience, he lived with God as his expectation!

Stephen, in Acts 7, saw the heavens standing open and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.  He SAW, and out of that experience, he saw the completion of his expectation in Jesus!  Stephen was so filled with Jesus and the Holy Spirit that his countenance was transformed.  His transformation began in His heart, filled his mind, and showed in his face!  His expectation was IN God!

Life is sweetest when lived in the peace of knowing GOD IS!  No matter what, God IS!  No matter where God IS!  So, cease striving; God IS!  Live in expectation!  The God who never fails is our God.

Lord, help us to become consumed with You and focused on Your Purposes!