Today, most people don’t find themselves besieged by “an ungodly nation” (Psalm 43:1) or an actual “enemy” (Psalm 42:9). But that happened often in the Old Testament era and was probably the occasion for the writing of Psalms 42 and 43 (likely originally one psalm). Such an attack from one’s enemies led to the author admonishing himself to “hope in God,” instead of being downcast and disquieted over his situation.

We may not face attacks from actual enemies, but we do find ourselves downcast and disquieted at times. The danger is that such emotions can move us from a foundation of faith to a feeling of fear. What we need in such moments is what the author of Hebrews called an “anchor of the soul” that keeps us moored in place. And what is that anchor? Hope: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).

When you feel God has forgotten you (Psalm 42:9), put your “hope in God.” Let hope keep you anchored in Him by faith.

Hope is the foundation of patience.
John Calvin