Psalm 43:5a Why, my soul, are you downcast?…
According to commentary, Psalm 43 is either a continuation of Psalm 42 or closely related. Regardless, Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5 are identical and carry, for me, a crucial reminder of the choice I spoke of yesterday.
Psalm 43:5b …Why so disturbed within me?…
Don’t get me wrong: sometimes life stinks: it isn’t fair, it is painful, it is difficult. I am not trying to paint a rosy picture—all sunshine and no shadows. That’s not realistic. I’m saying God is there, even in the shadows. He is good, even in the pain and difficulty. He is sovereign and loving and steadfast, even in the unfairness. And in His unfailing love, He provides blessings even when we can’t see them and don’t look for them. God is bigger than our circumstances.
Psalm 43:5c …Put your hope in God….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Sometimes life just feels so grossly wrong. I am out of sorts. Nothing is the way I want it to be. Sometimes there are crushing losses and painful disappointments. And yet You are still God, even then. You are still loving and steadfast and merciful. You still love me fiercely and bless me abundantly. Forgive me when I choose to dwell on the loss. Help me, always, to choose You instead, to trust You, to put my hope in You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 43:5d …for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Have a blessed day.