In God!

In God!

Psalm 42:11 KJV

[11] Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

The question at the start of this verse is quite common to all of us. At one point in time or the other, we all have asked the same question as it seemed that waves of despair and trouble rolled over us. It was as if the devil just wanted to destroy us completely. As a result of sin, this earth is now accustomed to pain and sorrow, and as part of the package that is now applicable to a world that is under the control and influence, all who are in it will bear a bit of tribulation. In fact, in one of the addresses of Jesus just before He went to the cross, He made it plain that in this world, we will have tribulation, but that we should be of good cheer because He had overcome the world. That is the word of comfort for such a time like this.

Thank God that the final word is not confusion but comfort. Thank God that the devil does not have the final say on what happens to me. The verse above asks the question but it also provides an appropriate response: God is the One who can lift a man up from the dungeon of despair to the highest heights of hope. God is the One who can speak a quiet word of hope and life to a life that is buffetted by the storms of life. Before I can claim the conclusion of the verse above, I must be able to say with confidence, just like the sons of Korah did at the start of this chapter, that my soul indeed pants for God, like the deer pants for water. It is not this very occasional search, but a lifestyle of daily commitment to the things that matter.

It is not a matter of IF but WHEN trouble comes. Hope has to be on the One who is eternal, and one must not get distracted or discouraged by that which is earthly and ephemeral. I focus on God; I seek to praise Him through the pain and tears. I seek to praise Him even when there appears to be no reason to do so. It is not about what I get, but about who God is. It is not about what makes me comfortable, but about what makes God known. He is God, no matter what goes on around me. I take care of my inner content, making sure it is connected to God. As long as my soul is rightly settled, God will take care of the rest. What is your decision? God's time of favour is here.