Skip to main content

Encouragement from Psalms 42 & 43


From my Scripture reading this morning in the section from the Psalms we read a phrase three times in Psalm 42 and 43 with one small variation. It is in Psalms 42:5 & 12 and also 43:5. On its face value alone it such a great reminder that I need to question my souls when it is down. If I am redeemed of God then I have no business being down very long. I can ask for God's help to:


  • Reveal if there is anything I need to repent of and seek forgiveness. 
  • Reveal any way wrong attitude I have and confess it to the Lord.
  • Show me if I am harboring any bitterness, anger, or grudge toward someone or concerning a circumstance.
  • Give all of these things over to the Lord once found and allow Him to carry the load. 


Then I take a moment to command my own soul. It says here: "...hope thou in God:.." Every moment of every day, I need to command my souls to this position. I cannot excuse, deny, or ignore any sin or feeling that is not right before God. It must be dealt with now and get my should where it needs to be to have the right relationship and attitude with God.


Finally, there is one small deviation in these three verses. Two verses say "I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance" and one says "...who is the help of my countenance, and my God." What a blessing to consider that He is both of those things to us. He is the help and and the health of who I am in this world and my testimony. I want to have the right attitude in this world and toward this world, being the testimony He desires me to be. I cannot do that unless I am walking with Him, staying close to Him, and depending on Him for the help and health of who I am for Him as well. - Pastor Mark Sage

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Recognize God's Mercy, but now - LET'S DO THE WORK!

Praise God for His mercy and grace upon America this election season.  We need to recognize that we have been blessed by the Almighty.  He has given us more time to enjoy our freedoms.  While our hope rests in the Lord always – we do thank Him for allowing us to enjoy our freedoms in our country into the near future – freedom to worship, freedom to assemble peaceably, freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms.     BUT NOW…   LET"S DO THE WORK!  With these freedoms come responsibilities.  We have asked God to give us the outcome we have received – but that same merciful God has a will for our lives that involves loving Him and serving Him faithfully.  If those who proclaim to be “born again” believers in this nation do not use these liberties we have been afforded to live for God and instead continue to use them for license to selfishness, greed, and pride – then this nation is doomed for we have already tested God...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jesus Loved Martha

John 11:5 " Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." Yes, this is an odd verse to quote from my devotions, but it reminds us of a great truth: God's love for does not change in the midst of a trial. Remember, Mary, Martha, & Lazarus were going through the great trial of their lives in this chapter. They may have been inclined to question God's love. BUT THE TRIAL ACTUALLY PROVES HIS GREAT LOVE! It shows us His love is not altered because we are facing a trial. The trial is always meant to grow our faith, strengthen are walk, to correct us or to guide us - but never is it meant to question His love for us.
Post a Comment
Read more

The Cult of What If

I had an old preacher many years who gave many pearls of wisdom, some were very helpful and some were very funny - but they all had a good application.  Once he simply defined tithing thusly: “Tithing is God’s way for God’s people to do God’s business.”  Sometimes his wisdom would end up contradicting other wise statements he would make.  For instance, he would say: “Tired men rule the world,” but then two weeks later he would say: “Never make a decision when your are tire.”  Both are wise statements, but they just don’t go well side by side.   There was another statement that he made that has stuck with me for all these years.  He would say (and very directly): “I DON’T DEAL IN WHAT IF’S.”  He would say this in response to people when they gave an excuse in the form of “What if this happens” to allow justification of some sin or why they could not commit to something. I’ve thought a lot about that statement through the years and how to apply and even ...
Post a Comment
Read more