42:11Psalms 42:11

The verse speaks to a soul weighed down and inwardly restless, questioning its gloom and commanding it to place confident hope in God with assurance that praise will return.MH 255+2 To call Him the health of the face means He restores light, strength, joy, deliverance and a cheerful countenance, and to call Him my God claims Him as personally one's own.MH 255+2 He is the unfailing source of hope, strength, grace, deliverance and renewed joy, who lifts the light of His favor upon those who trust Him and enables them to reflect that light to others.Lt 265, 1904, par. 14–15+2 Jesus Christ Himself is that health and strength and God to be praised, the Saviour who seeks the lost, brings them back to rest and peace, and is honored by consecration of all a person is and has.Ms 139, 1898, par. 91+4 Hope is therefore to be held fast even when feeling is low, since assurance rests on His Word and not on emotion, and it is to be lived out by refusing complaint and training the tongue to speak faith, thanksgiving and praise that brings victory to soul and body.Ms 3, 1890, par. 31–32+4

The question is addressed to a soul that is cast down and inwardly troubled and disquieted, and the command is to hope in God with confidence that praise will yet be given to Him again.MH 255+4 Even amid overwhelming distress the troubled one can trust that reason for praise will again be given, since God is the source of deliverance and strength.MH 255+4 Discouragement is to be answered by hoping in God and expecting to praise Him, encouraging faith, confidence and assurance rather than spreading doubt and complaint.Ms 3, 1890, par. 31–32+2 Sorrow is turned toward hope and trust that praise will come again, leaving unbelief to rejoice in God's light even amid affliction.Lt 32, 1895, par. 11+2

The health of the countenance means that God is the source of well-being, light to the face, renewed strength, joy, deliverance, and a restored and cheerful countenance.MH 255+4 He is strength and inward health to whom those in distress and temptation should look for hope, restoring the troubled person and bringing renewed hope and praise.MH 255+4 He is health, or strength and saving help, to the face, keeping the body and keeping the soul, and those who trust Him commit the keeping of the soul to Him as a faithful Creator who never fails and receive strength, grace and salvation with rejoicing every morning.Lt 4, 1894, par. 10+2 Trusting Him in faith brings comfort, and Jesus lifts the believer's countenance, while the closing words confess Him as personally my God and the believer's own God.MH 255+4

David spoke these words to his own troubled soul, asking why it was cast down and unsettled and urging it to hope in God.ED 164.2+1 He spoke as a hunted fugitive taking refuge in the wilderness, living without a resting-place on earth, yet expecting even in distress to praise again the One who restores and sustains.ED 164.2+1 The call turns away from tears day and night, from enemies asking where God is, from feeling forgotten by God as rock, from mourning under oppression, and from waves and billows going over.Lt 72, 1903, par. 1–2+1 It turns instead to trust that the Lord commands lovingkindness by day and gives His song by night to the God of life, not looking on the dark side nor thinking or talking unbelief, answering oppression and the taunt about God with confidence.Lt 72, 1903, par. 1–2+1

Israel was to sing this hope in God with joyful voices at the Passover, the Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.Ms 110, 1899, par. 4–5 The singing was to show gladness and joy and to express thanksgiving for privileges and gracious treatment, since He does not forsake those who trust in Him.Ms 110, 1899, par. 4–5 A world that knew not God was thus to see that the Lord keeps those who trust Him.Ms 110, 1899, par. 4–5 The health of God's countenance expresses the blessing of His favor and the sustaining joy of His presence.Lt 23, 1880, par. 6–7+2 It is used as a prayer that He will lift the face with that health, lift His favor upon a person, bless daily with riches of grace, and let His blessing and favorable presence rest upon one who is recovering.Lt 23, 1880, par. 6–7+2

The downcast and troubled soul is told to place hope in God, trusting that even amid overwhelming distress He will again give reason for praise, for He is deliverance and strength and the believer's own God.Lt 265, 1904, par. 14–15+3 When circumstances are tangled and faith is tested, that trust sustains courage and confidence that praise will come again, restoring joy and renewed strength.STOM 44.1–45.2+2 He never fails those who trust Him at all times, but is the source of strength and grace, a strong tower of safety to run into, One who understands necessities, who is good and merciful with changeless love.Lt 265, 1904, par. 14–15+1 He lifts up the light of His countenance to give strength and attends with mercies morning, noon, and night, enabling the one strengthened by Him to reflect light upon others and strengthen them.Ms 62, 1896, par. 17–19 Calling Him the health of the countenance describes Him as restoring the troubled person in distress and temptation and bringing renewed hope and praise, with thanksgiving and praise cultivated continually without waiting for a happy flight of feeling, since feeling is not evidence but His Word is assurance.CH 340.2–3+2

Inward faith and peace in God are reflected in a cheerful face, showing that the Sun of Righteousness shines in the heart.Lt 53, 1876, par. 51–55+1 Trusting God can bring inward peace and genuine cheerfulness even amid affliction, so that a cheerful face attests that He shines upon the believer.Lt 53, 1876, par. 51–55+1 He personally lifts the downcast face and belongs to the believer as personal God, giving every mercy and blessing in lasting goodness.Ms 82, 1900, par. 11–13+1 All mercies and blessings come from Him, for He is good and His mercies endure forever, and He supplies all strength, power, and efficiency to be praised with thanksgiving.Ms 82, 1900, par. 11–13+1 That praise is spoken aloud in words of hope and comfort to others instead of silent lips, using speech as a gift from heaven to sound forth His praises as the One who called out of darkness into marvelous light.Ms 82, 1900, par. 11–13+1

Even when very weak after a severe attack of illness He is Helper and Restorer in sickness and weakness who guards before and behind, so a person can rejoice in the Lord for His restoring help.Lt 40, 1898, par. 1 Despite feeling utterly prostrated by exhaustion and distress, hope in God and the light of the Saviour's countenance can bring renewed strength, with expectation of recovering spring-back power and recognition that abandonment is not real and one is not truly friendless or forsaken.Lt 40, 1898, par. 1+1 While unable to rise up or sit down or move without pain, refusing to give up courage means hoping in God and trusting Him to give strength to do the little needed work, speaking with clearness and power despite feebleness.Lt 65, 1892, par. 2–3 Trusting Him in faith brings comfort for the renewed countenance and hope, and Jesus lifts the believer's countenance.Lt 24, 1888, par. 15–17

Jesus Christ Himself is the righteousness and strength and health of the countenance, and He is God, the Saviour to be praised.Ms 168, 1899, par. 23–24+4 Those who honor Him do so in spirit and word and action and in sincere love, praising Him with heart and soul and voice and letting nothing come between them and Him, taking courage in the Lord as His friends.Lt 149, 1902, par. 16–18 Men and women bound in Satan's snare, struggling under strong temptation and in danger of being overcome in the fight with satanic agencies, are to be pointed to Him in that character for salvation and the saving of the soul.Ms 168, 1899, par. 23–24+3 Ministers and physicians alike are to work earnestly in this rescue, continually watching for souls, making personal appeal and speaking personally even to strangers, conversing and praying with them, and directing them to Jesus by public and private effort to win them to Christ.Ms 168, 1899, par. 23–24+1

In love Christ seeks the lost sheep, hunting and searching for them and encircling sinners to bring them back to the fold.Ms 139, 1898, par. 91+1 When the light of the Sun of Righteousness shines into the heart, the restored are given rest in peace and joy in the Lord and the privilege of sitting together with Him in heavenly places.Ms 139, 1898, par. 91+1 Right praise to God as the health of the countenance and God of His people is the fitting response, and that praise is not in words only but in the consecration to Him of all that a person is and all that a person has.Ms 139, 1898, par. 91

The hope commanded rests on God delivering up His own Son as the propitiation for sins, on Christ as Redeemer manifesting light and truth and the way, and on God giving the Holy Spirit with providential opportunities and facilities for training the mind.Lt 51, 1896, par. 3 God requires this hope of those to whom He has given moral powers and religious susceptibilities.Lt 51, 1896, par. 3 To fulfill the command is, when tempted, to draw nigh to God and cooperate with Him by believing that He saves now, whatever the past history has been.Lt 51, 1896, par. 3 The same hope rests on the complete sacrifice offered at Calvary, where Jesus stands as the sinner's Friend and Saviour and Redeemer who pleads for the believer before God, with eternal joy awaiting those who surrender all to Him.ST Apr 15, 1903 When trials darken life and despair presses, the call to hope is applied by turning attention away from self to Jesus, remembering Him as Saviour with the Sun of Righteousness shining behind the clouds, and by claiming God's promises now.ST Apr 15, 1903

Thankfulness for the Saviour as the health of the countenance and God rests on laying the whole weight upon His mightiness.Ms 179, 1897, par. 4–5 Christ becomes the health of the countenance and restores the soul when a person turns to Him instead of dwelling on grief and darkness.Lt 19, 1895, par. 13–15

Hope and trust are to stay fixed on God at all times even when feelings are low or absent and outward circumstances press with great discouragement.Ms 62, 1896, par. 17–19+1 The downcast and disquieted soul is to refuse to fail or be discouraged and to cultivate continual thanksgiving and praise with constant gratitude, not waiting for a happy flight of feeling.Ms 62, 1896, par. 17–19 Feeling is not evidence but God's Word is assurance, and faith resting on His word and promises does not always bring feelings of ecstasy.Ms 62, 1896, par. 17–19+1
Trials borne for Jesus are not a mark of God's anger, and when He is trusted they always prove a blessing.Lt 9a, 1891, par. 24+1 That trust makes faith brighter, stronger, and purer, bringing blessing as confidence turns the mind from despair toward the brightness of the Sun of Righteousness.Lt 9a, 1891, par. 24+1 The mind must therefore be educated to trust by talking faith and hope and talking of His goodness, which shows more of His love and gives more reasons to trust, and by remembering how much Christ bore in meekness and lowliness so as to live in that brightness and not in the shadow Satan casts across the path.Lt 9a, 1891, par. 24
When shortcomings, mistakes, and past failures bring discouragement, the person is to turn from them and look to God in trust rather than rely on personal strength.SC 64.1+1 Even when overcome, one is not forsaken, but by trusting the Redeemer's power can still praise Him as the source of renewed courage and hope.SC 64.1+1 Trusting His promises makes the enemy's suggestions powerless, and when personal faith feels weak the faith of others may support the sufferer, which God accepts on that person's behalf.2T 319.2 Even when circumstances are tangled and faith is tested, that trust sustains courage and confidence that praise will come again through trials rather than surrender to discouragement.STOM 44.1–45.2+1
A bereaved believer is called to put hope in God, take courage, and not sorrow as those who have no hope, because the grave holds the dead only a little while and reunion comes soon.14MR 53.5 God stands by in deep affliction and trial as sun and shield, and enduring the trial well and holding fast truth leads to receiving with the loved one a crown of glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life at the appearing of Jesus.14MR 53.5 The same hope applies to illness, where faith in God's promises joined with practical effort supports confidence in recovery and in seeing God's salvation in bodily health.Lt 51b, 1887, par. 6 Feelings and the speeches or attitudes of any human agent must not be allowed to bring depression, but by trusting the Lord, keeping looking to Jesus, following on to know Him, and beholding Him, the believer becomes changed into His likeness and becomes an overcomer with family following on.Lt 125, 1900, par. 10–11
The Lord Himself restores courage and strength when the soul is cast down, disquieted, burdened, and anxious, inviting whole trust because He loves and letting Him mold the life as clay in the potter's hands into a vessel unto honor.Lt 5, 1900, par. 12–14 Relief does not come by change of place, for Satan by deception seeks to keep the mind harassed and in solicitude, even working through concern for a son to unsettle, sap strength, quench courage, and hinder God's work.Lt 5, 1900, par. 12–14 One is therefore to do all in one's power for others and then leave them in God's hands as Helper, refusing fear, distrust, and doubt, resting in His hands, walking safely in His footsteps clinging to Jesus.Lt 5, 1900, par. 12–14 So lived, light is imparted to others and constantly received anew.Lt 5, 1900, par. 12–14

Discouragement is to be answered by hope in God with expectation of praising Him again, for He renews strength and joy and changes the countenance, and this means encouraging faith, confidence and assurance instead of spreading doubt, complaint, unbelief and repining, with ministers and church members refusing to lose faith when problems are hard to resolve but trusting divine power and keeping hope.Ms 3, 1890, par. 31–32+3 To face the light from the Sun of Righteousness is to train oneself to speak hope and faith and thanksgiving and to stay cheerful and hopeful in Christ, praising God as the health of face and life.Lt 322, 1906, par. 6 Such praise brings precious victories and acts as a remedy for diseases of soul and body, so that complaining and despondency disappear in unclouded brightness and turn into praise for loving-kindness shown to people.Lt 322, 1906, par. 6 When the soul is discouraged, faith turns it toward praise, and singing thanksgiving rather than voicing discouragement opens the heart to the Saviour's presence and brings health and blessing.MH 254.1–2

Satan constantly presses the soul into distrust, so the mind must be educated to trust by talking faith and hope and talking of divine goodness, which reveals more love and gives more reasons to trust, and by remembering how much Christ bore in meekness and lowliness the mind learns to live in the brightness of the Sun of Righteousness and not in the shadow cast across the path.Lt 9a, 1891, par. 24 Since the Saviour is the health of the countenance, the eyes must not be diverted from Him, but mind and heart are to open heavenward to Christ and close earthward against small worries casting dark shadows, living in the sunshine of the divine presence.Ms 90, 1900, par. 34–37 Mercies seen and experienced are to be recounted rather than falling into only sighing over abominations as the day of the Lord approaches, the head is to be lifted up rejoicing because redemption draws nigh when the signs take place, and Satan's great power is not to be talked of much but God's great power is to be magnified with praise and thanksgiving to His holy name.Ms 90, 1900, par. 34–37 Being cast down, complaining, mourning, weeping, looking on the dark side, and dishonoring God with repining are to be refused, and instead the windows of the soul are to be opened heavenward to receive light, letting divine peace reign within.Lt 56, 1900, par. 12–14 Praising Him with heart and soul and voice as the light of the countenance, talking of His goodness, telling of His power, and looking on the bright side of everything gives strength to bear suffering and to rejoice in grace to endure, sweetens the surrounding atmosphere, keeps cloud and shadow out of the home, and makes everything go smoothly.Lt 56, 1900, par. 12–14

Speech is a gift from heaven not to be kept silent but to be used to speak aloud words of hope and comfort to others and to sound forth praises of the One who called out of darkness into marvelous light, since God personally lifts the downcast face, belongs to the believer as personal God, gives every mercy and blessing in lasting goodness, and supplies all strength, power and efficiency, and since all mercies endure from His goodness forever.Ms 82, 1900, par. 11–13+1 Hoping in God is the privilege of all, ministers and people, putting trust in the Saviour as a humble trusting child of faith.Lt 104, 1901, par. 19–23 When tempted to speak rashly, harsh hasty words are to be remembered as dishonoring the divine Companion and grieving the Holy Spirit, the heart is to be lifted to God in prayer for help, and right heavenly words are to be spoken that reveal Christ abiding within, and those who so trust receive help and are never forsaken.Lt 104, 1901, par. 19–23 The soul is to keep its hold on God and continue cheerfully in duty, for God is strength and health who gives courage.Lt 49a, 1874, par. 7 The under-shepherds reveal God as the health of the countenance when they keep their own hearts sweet with Christ's love, opening the windows of the soul heavenward so heaven's light fills its chambers, and then reflect that light to associates.Lt 140, 1901, par. 13–14

Committing the keeping of the soul to God as unto a faithful Creator who never fails brings strength, grace and salvation with rejoicing in Him every morning, and the favorable result of medical work comes from Him just as truly as if blessing dropped directly from heaven, to be thanked as though relief were direct and instantaneous.7MR 376.1+1 Praise belongs to Him as giver of health restoring face and life just as fully when healing comes through natural means used according to His will as if instantaneous from heaven.Lt 66, 1901, par. 21–24 Praying, believing and working belong together by praying in faith for health and strength, using every blessing within reach such as water wisely applied and food that preserves the body, obeying the laws of nature and health, doing all that can possibly be done, committing the keeping of the soul to God, and then thanking Him for the favorable result as His supernatural working through natural means.Lt 66, 1901, par. 21–24 The words about health of countenance apply to improvement in physical health and strength, and physicians in particular are to point suffering patients to Jesus as righteousness, strength, health of countenance and Great Physician who heals soul and body, cheering the disconsolate and hopeless and warning the careless with words that lead to Him.Lt 54a, 1894, par. 28+1 Men and women bound in Satan's snare, struggling with strong temptations and in danger of being overcome in the fight with satanic agencies, are to be pointed to Jesus for salvation by ministers and physicians alike continually watching for souls, speaking personally even to strangers, conversing, praying with them, and directing them to Christ by public and private effort to win them.Ms 168, 1899, par. 23–24+1

One cast down with worry over work should not worry but have courage, faith and hope in the Lord as light of the countenance and God, including taking rest for a time and riding out every day if possible for recovery of health and courage.Lt 366, 1904, par. 10 Seeking the health of His countenance means pleading with Him for wisdom and help while holding fast to Him, praying for His daily blessing with the riches of grace, and praising Him for care and provision that restore the countenance and sustain with joy of His presence.Lt 23, 1880, par. 6–7+2