|
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance."
(Psalm 42:5)
How do you read the Bible devotionally? For many years, I tried to read large portions of Scripture in my quiet times with the Lord. I found that I read so much that I could not remember what I had read! So, I started a new discipline years ago that has really helped me: I read less. You may think that it does not sound very spiritual to read less Scripture, especially for a pastor. Apart from whatever passage I am preaching about, I read the Bible for my soul. I read smaller portions two days in a row, and it has really helped me remember what I am reading throughout the day. One of my spiritual disciplines is praying back the Scriptures to God. Each day, I take breaks throughout the day and pray to God, and I always include praying back the biblical texts I read earlier. This has many spiritual benefits. It helps me focus on God, reminds me of what I read in the Bible earlier in the day, and increases my faith so I can trust in the Lord no matter what I am going through. I encourage you to try it.
Notice that in verses 5 and 11 of Psalm 42, the words are almost identical. This is not by accident. God records these words for us twice so we would be sure and get them. There is no break between Psalm 42 and 43 in the Hebrew text, so in the same line of thought, look what the psalmist says in Psalm 43:5:
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God."
Okay... three times God records the same message in a short span; do you think He is trying to get our attention?
One writer makes this observation on these two Psalms: "These two psalms comprise the prayer of a believer who wrestled and struggled with doubt and depression, but finally rested his case with God (vv. 5, 11; 43:3-5)." (Holy Bible--Baptist Study Edition, p. 763.)
Twice in Psalm 42 (in verses 5 and 11) and one more time in Psalm 43 verse 5, he gives us the Answer to getting through our difficulties, and that is to hope in the Lord. This is in the Hiphil verb tense and in the imperative mood; it is like he is commanding himself to hope in God. This word yhl means to wait expectantly.
What struggle are you going through? What is God telling you? If you know Him, please know He sees, and He cares for His children. He will come through as sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening. What does He say? He says to hope and wait expectantly. Praise Him while you wait; worship in the waiting.
Before long, you will be saying these powerful song lyrics about your own life: "It is well with my soul."
|
|
