Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Resurrected Christ who Encourages the Dispirited
Psalm 142: 1-3
“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.” Psalm 142: 3a
Devotion
Psalm 142 is believed to be David’s prayer while he was in a cave as mentioned in its title given in the Bible. This is most likely not a scheduled daily prayer or prayer during the liturgical hours of the day but likely an unscheduled prayer, a prayer for immediate help, more specifically, a desperate cry for help in the most unexpected time of trouble. David is running away from King Saul to save his life and hides in two different caves during this run (1 Samuel 22 – 24). We can see a dispirited David who experiences loneliness in the cave with no one to help him, no one who understands him and no one who cares for his life (verse 4). David is desperate for help as his enemies are too strong for him (verse 6). David clearly knows God is his only refuge (verse 5). So, David cries out aloud to the Lord, lifting his voice to the Lord for mercy (verse 1), pouring out his heart to God (verse 2) as Hannah poured out her heart to God (1 Samuel 1:15). Even amidst the experience of total darkness - that of the cave (external) and of his life (internal), David’s faith is in the Lord. David knows his Lord very well as evident from verse 3: “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way” (NIV). In the New Living Translation it reads, “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.” Through this declaration of faith, David is completely surrendering his life into the hands of the Lord.
In the Gospels, we can see the Son of David, Jesus Christ, going through similar experiences during his earthly life, crying out loud to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane and at the cross while fully surrendering to the will of the Father. In Hebrews 5:7 it says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” This is the encouragement we have in our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is very close to us during the darkest hours of our life and fully understands our situations. Our Jesus lives and hence, we shall also live. Death could not consume Him, and He rose again to life on the third day. Therefore, with the resurrected Christ by our side, we are also capable of overcoming our dispirited state through loud cries of prayer, steadfast faith in Him and total submission to His will.
“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.” Psalm 142: 3a
Devotion
Psalm 142 is believed to be David’s prayer while he was in a cave as mentioned in its title given in the Bible. This is most likely not a scheduled daily prayer or prayer during the liturgical hours of the day but likely an unscheduled prayer, a prayer for immediate help, more specifically, a desperate cry for help in the most unexpected time of trouble. David is running away from King Saul to save his life and hides in two different caves during this run (1 Samuel 22 – 24). We can see a dispirited David who experiences loneliness in the cave with no one to help him, no one who understands him and no one who cares for his life (verse 4). David is desperate for help as his enemies are too strong for him (verse 6). David clearly knows God is his only refuge (verse 5). So, David cries out aloud to the Lord, lifting his voice to the Lord for mercy (verse 1), pouring out his heart to God (verse 2) as Hannah poured out her heart to God (1 Samuel 1:15). Even amidst the experience of total darkness - that of the cave (external) and of his life (internal), David’s faith is in the Lord. David knows his Lord very well as evident from verse 3: “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way” (NIV). In the New Living Translation it reads, “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.” Through this declaration of faith, David is completely surrendering his life into the hands of the Lord.
In the Gospels, we can see the Son of David, Jesus Christ, going through similar experiences during his earthly life, crying out loud to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane and at the cross while fully surrendering to the will of the Father. In Hebrews 5:7 it says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” This is the encouragement we have in our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is very close to us during the darkest hours of our life and fully understands our situations. Our Jesus lives and hence, we shall also live. Death could not consume Him, and He rose again to life on the third day. Therefore, with the resurrected Christ by our side, we are also capable of overcoming our dispirited state through loud cries of prayer, steadfast faith in Him and total submission to His will.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for staying close to us and listening to our loud cries during the darkest hours of our life. Lord, have mercy on us. O Lord, strengthen us in our faith and lead us closer to an experience of total submission to your will. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Roy Thadathil, Salem Mar Thoma Church, New York
Lord Jesus, thank you for staying close to us and listening to our loud cries during the darkest hours of our life. Lord, have mercy on us. O Lord, strengthen us in our faith and lead us closer to an experience of total submission to your will. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Roy Thadathil, Salem Mar Thoma Church, New York