Take note of two verses from Psalm 42. They are similar to each and both have to do with our hope, yet there is a vast difference in them.

Psalm 42:5—Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

Here the word help is from the Hebrew yashúah. This very word that means “salvation, deliverance, prosperity, victory.” Looking closely, you will find it is the root of the Name that some elect to call our Savior. Then there is the word countenance. What a revelation the Psalmist had upon writing this. It is from the Hebrew paniym which means the face, or the presence, of a person. This is amazing to the soul that will open to its fullness. God’s very presence is our salvation. Knowing this, we have a present expectation. Salvation is not something we hope for in the eternal future. It is a “now” salvation. What hope this gives us as we face the time of the end and the scheme of anti-Christ to put us down in defeat! Let us begin now to praise God for the salvation of His presence. It can be known anywhere, any time, in any situation.

Psalm 42:11—Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

What a slight difference there is in the Hebrew of these two verses. In verse 5 it is His countenance. In verse 11 it is my countenance. The word help of verse 5 and the word health of verse 11 are both from the same Hebrew word, yashúah.

His face looking upon me, His face turned toward me and His presence surrounding me, are all my salvation. My abiding salvation is Him, not something from Him. But then, it is also a matter of my countenance. It is my presence, who I am, my person. The salvation that He is enters into who I am. Just to know that the salvation He is envelops all that I am is the answer for all my sorrow, my need, my pain, my sin, my guilt and my utter lostness along the path of life.

DEAR LORD, I hold back nothing from the reach of Your mercy and grace. I yield to You all the negative forces that have tried to destroy who I am. Oh, please make me into a vessel of honor for Your Kingdom! Let Your sanctifying presence come over upon everything that has held me captive. I want to be a captive only to Your love and Your presence.