Why are you downcast o my soul? Why are you in despair?
It is a good question. Do you ever ask yourself why? You in a funk? A little down? Hard hearted and don’t really care? Whatever! Stupid people. Why is this so irritating? How come I am so easily upset? Where is the Peace of God? Why am I so anxious?
What follows on the heels of these moods? Perhaps a little lack of faith- you need to grow more and are insufficient. What can you do to solve it? Maybe God left you on your own to solve this one? Perhaps…its punishing a little. Maybe God’s plan for your life is not so big. What’s the point of it all?
What follows on the heels of these thoughts? Do I really believe this junk? Is there really a God? Is it not really- the last breathe and then….the computer turns off. Plug is pulled. Finito. Kaput. Game over man.
Why are you downcast O my soul? Life not working out? Something’s up.. Maybe I just have my skivvies in a twist.
God helps me…He gives me the answer.
Psalms 42:11 NASB Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
You see it does not really matter why I get downcast. He tells me to hope in Him. The day will come; I WILL yet praise Him. He said He is faithful. He said He is true. Truthfully I see no reason to doubt Him. He has not failed me. In fact He saved me.
I must set my hope in Him. Not a raise. Not breakfast. Not a car that runs, a house that sells, an economy that does not look like it will crash, not in my kid’s good confession, not in my dismissal of government education, not in cash, credit, relationships, a good marriage, dogs that don’t barf, comfort- security, or anything else.
My hope is in the Lord. Jesus. My hope is that God demeaned Himself by taking on physical flesh. Died intentionally for me and better yet was raised for me. To Live….Oh wonderful words; to Live.
To set my hope in Him…that’s it.
Psalms 43:3-5 NASB O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. (4) Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. (5) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
