“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.” Psalm 42:11
David went through many times of testing and one of the most discouraging was probably when his son Absalom tried to take over the kingdom from him. Forced to forsake his home and flee into the wilderness, he was homesick and weary. In the opening verses, he compares himself to the thirsty deer seeking a place to quench its thirst. With no royal duties to fill his time, memories of the gatherings to worship the Lord, occupied his thoughts. Instead of joy and praise, his heart was filled with longing. His trust and faith in God did not waver and verse eleven shows us how he handled this time of discouragement.
There will be times when we all will face times of loneliness, discouragement, or just feeling like life is not worth living.
Here are the steps David took to rise above his feelings.
Number One – He asked himself a question: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?” Take a good look at the situation. Why are you feeling the way you are? Is it something that you have said or done that needs to be addressed? Has someone hurt you and you are having a tough time forgiving them? Are you worrying over the circumstances of your life, whether financial, physical, or relational? Have you just forgotten whose child you are?
Number Two – He started to speak positively. “Hope thou in God:” Change your thinking. Remind yourself of all the times that the Lord has been there for you in the past and begin to thank Him for them. Think of all the blessings He has bestowed on you. Go for a walk and marvel at all the wonders of His creation. Open your Bible and find some scriptures that have sustained you in the past.
Number Three – He began to praise the Lord. “For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Remember your position in the Lord and begin to praise Him. He loved you enough to give His life on Calvary to save your soul. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, and will always be there for you in the good times and the bad.
Discouragements will come. Friends and even family may let us down. But the Lord remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. Stand firm on the Word of God.
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you never change, and you are always there, only a whisper away. We praise you today for all your goodness and mercy towards us.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
1 Comment
This is good!