5 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Psalm 43:5 (NLT): “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
I suspect that virtually every person alive has experienced discouragement at least once in their life. Most of us have experienced it many, many more times than that.
In our verse for the day, we see the Psalmist’s remedy. He said he, as an act of his will, would put his hope in God. He also said that he, as an act of his will, would praise the Lord.
First, it was an act of his will. He said, “I will…”
Frequently, when we are discouraged, we lack the strength or will-power to get out of that valley. So, we settle into it. Instead of resisting the negativity, we work to reinforce it.
But, if we are to get out of the valley and onto the mountaintop, we must act. We must demonstrate will-power. We must ask God for strength and then move in faith.
Second, the Psalmist put his “hope in God.”
Hope is essential to mental well-being. When we come to the end of our hope, we come to the end of our rope. But, someone who is saturated with hope is naturally happy and cheerful.
The Psalmist rested in the fact that God was in charge. He trusted the Lord in the situation, knowing that what he was experiencing had to get through God’s hands before it got to him. He also knew that God was going to work something good out of it. So, hope grew.
Finally, the Psalmist said that he would “praise him again.”
He was going to focus on God’s attributes and celebrate them. He was going to focus on things like God’s love, God’s power, God’s infinite wisdom, God’s holiness, and so much more. As He focused on the incredible attributes of God and praised Him for them, the Psalmist’s heart would naturally lift out of the valley of discouragement to the mountaintop of joy.
Do you battle with discouragement? Why not try the Psalmist’s remedy today. It will take work. But it’s like pushing a boulder. If you can get it moving, even just a little bit, it will become easier to continue the momentum. Ask God for the grace and strength, and then fight off the negativity today.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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