Friday, September 12, 2014

Chin Up

Have you ever had a day that seems like it was filled with one challenge after another, a day that just would not end? Perhaps you have had a week like that or a month or a year or more. The feelings we have in these times can be of defeat and cause us to walk through our walk with head down, slightly slumped over, almost in defeat. God wants us to feel and be victorious. But He understands that we are human. How do we know? Because this same experience has happened to many believers for centuries. We see this in scripture.

Psalms 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 we see the psalmist talking to himself (actually sining to himself) not to be discouraged.

Psalms 43:1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

As we can see, the psalmist had this experience on occasion. As believers we do not have to be downhearted. We can encourage ourselves through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs that God is with us and for us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of honor and praise. Send Your kingdom into the world and into our hearts and minds today, Lord, and dispel the darkness. We have needs today, Father. Please send us Your provision today. Forgive us when we give in to doubts and fears, and lift us up. Heal our infirmities, both on the outside and the inside, and those of our fellow believers. Deliver us today. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.