Listen Up, Soul

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil
within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my
salvation. Psalm 42:5

Have you ever circled around in a swimming pool, creating a
whirlpool, and then turned the other way? The current nearly
knocks you down, but when you push ahead, it becomes
progressively easier, actually reversing the flow.

In Psalm 42, David had become depressed over the taunting of his
enemies. In verse seven he complained, "All your breakers and
your waves have gone over me." But he then gives himself a good
talking to. He questions why his soul is in turmoil. In verse
eight, he reminds himself who God is and what He does: "By day
the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is
with me."

When problems overwhelm you, it may be difficult to worship the
Lord. Yet if you continue, reminding yourself who God is and what
He does for you, the words will sink in and your heart will take
hope.

If you focus on the country's problems, you can become depressed,
too. Instead, think on Christ above, committing the nation and
its leaders to Him…praying that they will also turn their
attention Godward.