Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
Father, this psalm so moves me. And this morning, at the end of quite the week, the questions posed in this verse resonate with my soul. Not just say “why” but also asking “how can I be?”
Yes, it has been quite a week. So much has come my way. So much has tried my faith. So much has caused me to have heartburn. I have on multiple occasions wondered how I would get through. And I have, as You know, found myself crying out to You, longing for You to send sure deliverance, wondering if I really could make it. Yes, I have had harder weeks. Yes, I have navigated through more difficult challenges. But what is common in all of them, is the reality of verse 8: “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.” And standing at the end of another tough workweek, reading that particular verse, the questions posed by the concluding verse takes on a real soul jarring significance. With a God like You why am I downcast? With a Father like You, why do I allow my heart to be disturbed?
Father, despite what I have been through I can say with certainty You have been good to me. For every down You have given me a dozen ups. For every obstacle You have given me multiple upon multiple blessings. Though I may have drug around in my heart wants, You have supplied all of my needs. When I have felt most alone You have consistently sent something or someone to remind me that I am not. When I have felt unheard You have spoken into my silence with Your presence. For sure, rarely do You show up the way I expect or want in the moment. But how You show up continually blows my mind! You have guided, directed me, and been with me. You have been true to Your Word. You have been not just my God but my Savior.
So, Father, I do ask my soul why be sad ever? What allow trouble to loom in the back of my mind? I really have absolutely no reason. No matter how bad things may appear, You are always with me. And I am secure in Your arms. I will today and everyday place my hope in You. You have been good to me!
Thank You for Your unfailing, unwavering, and undeniable love. Thank You for watching, keeping, and protecting me. Thank You for giving me what I have needed, filling what only You can fill within me, and caring for me despite me. I praise You this morning and magnify Your Name. For You are good and are worthy of my praise. Thank You, Father, for all You have done for me this week and every week through Christ Jesus my Savior by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, and know that I love You. Amen.