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 42:5
It’s 3:47 A.M. on Friday May 1, 2020. And The Writer has awakened me once again to reveal His thoughts to me. For you, who have been wondering how I’m able to write something fresh everyday; The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, no, no that’s a song lol my Inspirer is having some fun with you and me. He has to! It’s almost 4 A.M!! He speaks, I write. Before I grab my notes, I hear Him speak the scriptures to me, when I’m half-awake or still asleep; then I rouse myself, sit up, prop some pillows behind me, and listen intently for how He wants me to proceed. Then we’re all blessed together by HIS BRILLIANCE..HE’S a Wordsmith; I’m not that smart....shhh He’s speaking now.
Are you feeling downcast? Alone? Afraid? Feeling like you’ve lost control? Hemmed in with nowhere to turn? Are you feeling a little nostalgic about how life used to be before COVID whatever!! Well take heart my friends, you’re not alone. Thousands of years ago, the writer of Psalm 42 felt the same way. Listen to his thoughts, “These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God (was he prophesying to us in 2020?) under the protection of The Mighty One” with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. In this season of lock-down, lockout, social distancing and isolation there’s good reason for our souls to be downcast. But I love that the writer didn’t stay in that place. He began to speak to his soul, and we should too; Soul! Hope in God! For I will yet Praise Him! My SAVIOR (One capable of protecting and delivering) and MY GOD! He was in essence reminding himself that he had hope. Not in himself, the government or any human help. His hope or the answer to his soul was in the unseen yet ever present God.
If you don’t have a relationship with The Mighty One, you may not get where I’m going with this, but I’m here to tell you the government and I don’t care which side you’re on and what nation or country you live in; they are helpless and hopeless in your current situation. Our ONLY HOPE is JESUS!! I’m shouting now! HALLELUJAH!! Jeremiah wrote, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE: Because of the LORD’S (not external help) great love we are not all consumed, for HIS compassion never fails. They are NEW EVERY MORNING; Great is YOUR (not government) FAITHFULNESS.” I say to myself (there it is again, speak to yourself) “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for HIM.” Lamentations 3:21-24
So in this season of COVID19, where is your hope? Who or what is your anchor? Because if it’s anyone or anything other than Jehovah Jireh;(the Lord our Provider) they will fail. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and friends. Millions are unemployed. What was once a booming economy is now questionable. But we have to speak to our souls about our God. The writers were faced with their own COVID experiences, still they chose hope over fear and despair. Listen, listen to me! It’s only a season; and seasons pass. Perspective is everything. I would like to give you an assignment. (I hear the groaning) It's bad enough I have to read this long message lol. I’ve asked for it to be shorter, but my Writer says “for some of you; this is the most you’ve ever read of His Word” SELAH. (plus, this is your weekend reading until we meet again on Monday if the Lord wills) But I promise it will bless you. If you thought we were the only ones who've ever faced hard times, think again.
Reading Assignment: 2 Kings 6 & 7
I said perspective is everything in whatever you’re facing right now. But don’t lose hope. Your Savior WILL come. Read the opening verse again, and do like king David and encourage yourself in your Lord. 1 Samuel 30:6
Father in the Name of Jesus,
I pray for mercy in our current situation. I confess that we are helpless and hopeless without You. You have shown us in this season that we do not have the control we thought we had. That you Lord, You alone have all power. I humble myself; whilst encouraging my soul that I have hope in You. Thank you for reminding me that no matter what I may face You’re with me. In Jesus Name. Amen
“I will restore for you the years the locusts (unemployment) has eaten; You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the Name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you.” Joel 2:25a 26a (verses were not quoted in its entirety) please read.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant