TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:8-11
Read: Psalm 42:8-11
Listen: Psalm 42
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The psalmist is spiritually parched, desiring desperately to hear from God and facing constant ridicule. The temptation to quit and give in to despair seems to have been a constant companion. Both his days and nights were filled with tears, doubt and frustration. It would have been easy for him to give up. But that is not what he does! He fights against cynicism’s downward pull by preaching to himself (in Psalm 42:5,11). “Get up! Get back in the game! Remember who God is and what he has done.” He tells himself to trust in God, the Rescuer who is worthy of his praise.
We can identify with this temptation. Life is terrible, and we feel emotionally distant from God. Our days and nights are identical to those of the psalmist. It is easy to give in to despair, which Pastor Jeff Manion defines as “the place where we are incapable of envisioning a hopeful future.” We, too, need to fight.
Our fight needs to start where the psalmist started—by praising God and remembering what he believes. As he praises God, he remembers God’s goodness. Remembering God’s goodness through song, we remind ourselves that God is sufficient for all our needs. In doing so, we continue to trust as we move through challenging days.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Join Ada Bible’s worship team as they sing the Doxology. Linger on the words, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.” Use these words to fight the downward pull of despair.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Mark 16.
