I Shall Yet Praise Him

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

--Psalm 42:11  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on February 28, 2013 of Psalm 42; Acts 10:24-48; Leviticus 19:30-21.

Psalm 42 is one of the many psalms written by the "sons of Korah", but the words could easily have been spoken by David.  The author is surrounded by his enemies.  They tease him, taunt him, chide him by asking, "Where is your God now?", as they move in on him and there seems to be nothing that can save him.  He longs to hear God's voice again, "as a deer pants for the water brooks" (vs. 1).  Yet he has not given up hope.  He tells himself, his very soul, to hope in God.  He knows without a doubt there will still come a time when he will praise God for His help, for His salvation, even against these seemingly insurmountable odds.

This is God's message for us today.  No matter how bleak and dismal our situation may be, we must still trust in the Lord and know in our hearts the He is our salvation.  Jesus knew this, as He suffered and breathed His last upon that cruel cross.  No matter how dire our circumstance, we should praise the Lord because we know He will deliver us.  He is our help regardless of what assails us.  He is our God, and with Him at our side nothing can stand against us.  Nothing is ever truly hopeless as long as we keep our trust in God for He is our hope.  Jesus already fought the battle.  The victory is secure.  Praise the Lord, for He is our help and our God.  Amen.

Strong and faithful God, You never abandon us.  Thank You for always standing by our side, fighting off our enemies, saving us when all seems lost, being our true hope in hopeless times.  Please guide us through perilous times onto the path that Jesus prepared for us.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.