Word for the day by Christian Education

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Promise of the Holy Spirit
Psalm 42: 1-11
v5-6,” Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
The current pandemic has tested our nation’s resiliency in several ways: testing capacity, contact tracing, and the catastrophic impact to the economy as unemployment rises. Our entire world halted by a plague smaller than the human eye can see. Many of us know affected family members and friends, neighbors who have succumbed to death, and those who have been furloughed indefinitely. In these trying moments, our first response is to question “Why” and “How long?” The concept of suffering has troubled the human mind for centuries, and that is what the songwriter in Psalm 42 feels and explains.
The entire passage is metaphorical and poetic. The songwriter portrays his distress figuratively in verse 7, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Troubles are surging, one overwhelming wave after another, the deep trials do not stop. He describes his absolute despondency and need for God in verse 1, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Oppression from his surrounding enemies have given him trouble, but he has an unusual response, he preaches to himself. In fact, he is telling himself to sing! He does this to re-focus his attention on God despite his circumstance. Why, soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God, O my soul! This is a dialogue quite common in the Psalms, telling ourselves (our fleshly nature), who rely so deeply on money, affirmation, recognition, and resources, to trust in God and rely on the riches of knowing him. Our wisdom is shallow, but His knowledge and judgments are unsearchable (Romans 11:33–34), his thoughts are profound (Psalm 92:5), his love is as deep as his heart (Ephesians 3:18–19), as he proved when He gave His only begotten Son to die for us (John 3:16). What an amazing, beautiful God who supplies his children with their daily bread (Proverbs 30:8) and encourages us not to worry because just as he clothes the lilies of the field, will he not much more clothe us (Matthew 6:25-34)?
Our God in heaven promises to protect his children but does not promise an easy life (2 Timothy 3:12). He has given us the Spirit to endure the suffering in this world as means of our sanctification, conforming us more in the image of our Creator which has been marred by the curse of sin. When our tears become our food day and night (Psalm 42:3), we can rely on his word for sustenance. Jesus said in his high priestly prayer, “Sanctify them by your truth, thy word is truth” (John 17:17), and the same Spirit who enabled the apostles to endure opposition in the early church (Acts 4:29) leads us and guides us into all truth. When we face despair and pain beyond all measure, we must remember our God is also familiar with suffering and has spoken to us via his revealed word (Hebrews 1:2); so, let us hold it fast.
I challenge you in these moments to cling to his unfailing word, pour out your hearts to him, pray humbly and continuously, sing a song of praise for who he is, and remember his great faithfulness and favor. Though we do not know what the future holds, we must always remember to put our hope in God who is sovereign and in control over every disease and affliction that comes our way. Sing aloud, church, for we shall yet praise him, our Savior, and our God.
PRAYER
Lord, our hearts are so drawn to self-exalting, but help us to seek your kingdom first. Just as you persisted in the garden, what wondrous faith was it to bear that cross. Please Lord, give me more faith to trust in your ways when I am lost, when I am broken, and when I do not have the answers. In your name we pray, Amen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Faith is not commanding God to do your will, Faith is trusting God when he does his will.” – John Benzinger
Shane Thomas, Long Island MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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