Psalms 43:5
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Devotional
Those who praise the Lord in spite of their trials change burdens into blessings!
The writer of this Psalm is at the point of despondency.
After taking spiritual inventory, however, he recognizes the folly of dwelling on his unfavorable circumstances when he should be concentrating on the bright reality that he is the object of the Lord’s loving care.
He ends his review of the situation with a testimony of faith as he presents the solution to his problems: “Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him!”
Because the Lord “doeth all things well,” we too may look to the future with confidence, for we have this assuring promise: “No good thing will he withhold from
them that walk uprightly” (Psalms 84:11).
If we shake off our fear and depression by giving thanks in our afflictions, it will lift from our hearts many heavy burdens.
The apostle Paul frequently experienced great misery of soul and body, but he too reacted to the woes of life as did the psalmist, for he exclaims with holy insight and
courage, “Rejoice evermore. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16,18).
Someone has said,
“Wheat must be crushed to become bread,
incense must be cast on the fire to release its odors,
and the earth must be broken by the plow’s sharp point to prepare it for the seeds of blessing.”
Yes, we must “hope in God” even when difficulties loom so large that they hide the future pinnacles of reward His providence has planned.
By glorying in tribulation we find wonderful peace of mind; for praise is still the great Biblical antidote for depression!
Midst sun or rain, midst good or ill,
Through all my earthly days,
May nothing bitter quell, O Lord,
My grateful song of praise!
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
Website 1: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
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