Psalm 130, Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:8-3:3, Revelation 10:1-11

In Psalm 130, the Psalmist pens a beautiful prayer full of longing for God to answer him and the hope of believing that his prayers are already being answered. He tells all of Israel to put their “hope in the Lord” because “with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all of their sins” (vs. 7b-8). They did not know at the time when God would redeem them or how He would do it, but through prophets and Scripture Israel knew God would come.

Fast-forward to Ezekiel 36. The Israelites have been overtaken, destroyed and plumaged multiple times. They are losing hope that there is a God at all, much less the type of God who would come to them and rescue them. But verses 9 and 10 offer a new hope to the people. God says to His people, “I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor… the ruins will be rebuilt.” God sees and knows His people. He never forgets His promises to them. He gives them timely words of encouragement in their moments of despair because He knew they needed it. He continually springs us hope.

Move to Luke 24:44. The disciples’ Teacher has just been murdered in an unthinkable way. Many of them abandoned Him and went into hiding after His death. They had what they thought was an unshakeable hope, but now it was all over so quickly. How could something so true be snuffed out so fast? How could they dare to have hope in anything ever again? And that’s where our Hope comes in again. Jesus has just raised from the dead and shows Himself alive to His disciples. Jesus tells them that everything that has happened to Him is to fulfill Scriptures written long ago that they knew but just needed the reminder.

He is a God Who Himself made the way for us to be redeemed. He cares greatly for us and sees each of our needs, looking on us with favor. He offers hope in every situation. So now let us continue to pray Psalm 130 knowing that our great Hope has come for us and will come again to bring us to Himself.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. I put my hope in the Lord for with Him is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.

Ashleigh Martin Neu

Belmont Alumna Class of 2018