February 12, 2024
Read Exodus 35-37, Psalm 43
What topic or area of life seems to get you downcast more than any other? Is it an injustice that you see often? Is it a person or group of people that can easily bring you down? Several years ago, I made the conscience decision to stop watching the 24/7 news programs. I catch 5-7 minutes of news each day and then I move on to other things. I saw the difference this change in my habits made to my own good after several months had past.
The author of psalm 43 seems to struggle with the ungodly nature of the men and nations around him. “Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men” v. 1. His response is to ask God to direct and guide him, “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;” v. 3. He knows he needs to be near God and in His presence, “let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” v. 3. If something frequently causes us to struggle in our walk with God, not only do we need to distance ourselves from it, but we also should replace it with a stronger relationship with the Lord. The psalmist writes, “Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God” v. 4. Finally like the psalmist does, we need to remind ourselves, to trust in the Lord and not on the temporary earthly things that we see around us. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” v. 5.
How can you remind yourself to trust God in the day to day when you are tempted to lose hope and despair? Do you memorize and quote Scripture? Do you start each day reading God’s Word? Do you spend time in prayer each day for yourself and your situation?
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, themes, or phrases stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 