THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Another interpreter, Aquila and Symmachus, expresses it as follows: and they shall place their hope. The prophet frequently shifts from supplication to encouragement, acting as a universal instructor and sharing the wealth of divine wisdom with all. He rightly proclaimed, ‘Let them that know Thy name trust in Thee.’ Those who know Thee, he asserts, find a secure anchor, a robust shield, and an everlasting fortress in their reliance upon Thee—who not only assures liberation from troubles but grants tranquility even in the face of adversity. Truly, one who abandons earthly concerns and places their hope in divine assistance not only experiences swift liberation from trials but also remains steadfast and unshaken during upheavals, buoyed by the hope inherent in this anchor.
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In this way, the three young men were not only rescued from the fiery furnace, but while they were in it, they remained untroubled due to their unwavering trust in God's deliverance. Hence, another translator conveys this as will hope, or will be confident. The assurance that springs from hope in God surpasses human strength during distress—since the former is divine and unconquerable, whereas the latter is merely mortal.
After affirming that God is a helper and a refuge, the prophet clarifies the means through which this occurs. How does this transpire? By maintaining our hope in Him. If He does not provide immediate relief from troubles, it serves as a test for your faith. Just as He sometimes allows difficulties to strengthen you, He also might delay your deliverance to cultivate your patience, to refine your hope, and to deepen your love for Him. He prevents us from experiencing perpetual poverty, which might lead to despair, and from enduring constant prosperity, which could lead to our downfall. ‘Thou hast not forsaken those who seek Thee, O Lord.’ Another version states: for Thou hast not abandoned. The same truth is expressed elsewhere: ‘Look at the ancient generations and see: who believed the Lord and was put to shame? Or who called upon Him and was ignored?’ (Sir. 2:10). But how does one seek a God who is omnipresent? Through fervent desire, through earnest pursuit, and through the renunciation of worldly attachments. We often overlook what is present before our very eyes, seeking something outside ourselves while neglecting what we already possess. Therefore, how can we seek God? By focusing our thoughts on Him and detaching ourselves from worldly distractions. The one who seeks genuinely strives towards their goal, sweeping aside all other concerns. Seeking goes beyond mere effort; it involves a diligent quest. The seeker not only searches within but also seeks the assistance of others in their pursuit. We may fail to find fulfillment in worldly pursuits, and sometimes even in spiritual matters, yet everyone who earnestly seeks will undoubtedly find, for as soon as we begin our quest, God ensures that we do not languish in our search, affirming, ‘He who seeks finds’ (Matthew 7:8).