Daily Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Today's Text: Psalm 42:1-11
Key Verse: Psalm 42:5 (KJV): "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."
In times of trouble and uncertainty, it is easy to lose hope and give in to despair. However, as children of God, we have a promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Psalm 42:5 is a poignant expression of the psalmist's emotional turmoil and his subsequent resolve to trust in God. At first, the psalmist cries out to God in the midst of his troubles, asking why he is cast down and disquieted. But then he reminds himself to hope in God, for He is his help and his salvation.
Sometimes, it is essentially to ask yourself why you are feeling so downcast and disturbed. The use of the phrase "O my soul" is a form of self-address, where the psalmist is talking to his own soul. The word cast down (from Hebrew yarad) implies a sense of despair and hopelessness, or being disquieted. Something that suggests a state of turmoil and agitation. But see how the psalmist challenged and encouraged himself to put his hope in God. The psalmist is essentially saying, "Despite my current emotional state, I choose to trust in God." He was expressing his confidence that he will eventually praise God for His help and deliverance.
The story of Pastor Paul Gerhardt, a German pastor who lived during the Thirty Years' German War, also reminds us of this truth. When Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home, his wife broke down in despair. But Gerhardt reminded her of this Psalm. Later, when he too felt overwhelmed, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many: "Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head." In his hymn, he reminds us that God is always with us, even in our darkest times. He hears our sighs and counts our tears. He will lift up our heads and give us a new song to sing. So let us not despair, even when our circumstances seem impossible. Let us put our hope in God, for He is our only source of strength.
Action Steps: Reflect on the times when you felt overwhelmed and despairing, and how God met you in those moments. Ask God to help you put your hope in Him, even when your circumstances seem impossible. Trust in God's promise to give you a new song to sing in the midst of trouble.
Quote for the Day: "Except God is your refuge and strength, your ever-present help in trouble; you'dsoon find yourself on a Titanic." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are always with us, even in our darkest times. Help us to put our hope in You, even when our circumstances seem impossible. Give us a new song to sing, even in the midst of trouble. May we always trust in Your promise to be our refuge and strength — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.
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Thank you for being part of this journey. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Psalm 43:5; Lamentations 3:21-24; and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide written for free distribution and edification of churches, homes, and individuals. For inquiries, free counseling, or deliverance, please, write or visit: The Darling Bishop, 2321 S Beltline Rd Suite 144 Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA.
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With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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