"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT ENCOURAGING YOURSELF IN THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT ENCOURAGING YOURSELF IN THE LORD"

Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

As with many of the Psalms this is another one where David is have a very challenging and painful time in his life and ministry.
He expresses the pain in his heart and twice in this Psalm he repeats the verse we are looking at. One of the times has a slight variation but the main point is the same. This is a tremendous prescription for a troubled soul.

1. David spoke to himself about his own soul.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Please notice what David did here. This is a very helpful pattern and example for anyone who is troubled to consider applying in their own life. It's not complicated. It's very simple.
David was speaking to himself about the condition ( which was that his soul was cast down and disquieted )

2. David asked himself two different questions about his own soul.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

In essence David was asking himself why he was do discouraged. And he was asking himself why he was so sad.
Believers down through the ages have found this approach helpful.
It really is slowing everything down and attempting to get focused on what is happening within yourself.
If you are troubled at this time in your life, may I suggest you try doing what David did, and see how God might help you.
You may also want to share this passage and Psalm with a friend who is troubled as well.

3. David then advised himself as to what to do.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

After having questioned himself, he than began telling himself what to do.
What he told himself is simple yet profound and yields great fruit.
He told himself to "hope in God" Or to "put his hope in God"

Who can deny that this is undeniably a win win situation.
The Bible encourages us to put our hope in God.
Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

4. Finally, David expressed faith that God wast going to help him in his trouble.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

So after have questioned himself, and after having advised himself about trusting in God, David expresses his faith and hope as to what was going to happen.
He knew that beyond his current troubles that he would eventually be praising God.
And he described God as "The help of my countenance and my God"
David regarded God as his Savior and his God personally.

Some questions:

1. Are you in a time of trouble at this time?

2. Have you ever read this Psalm and this verse before?

3. If you have read it before, have you ever really given it any serious thought and consideration as a good example to follow.?

4. Isn't it encouraging to know that when we trust God and put our hope in God that we reap the benefits?

A prayer:

Father You have not hidden from us the realities of life in the people of the Bible. Even King David had his share of troubles.
Thank You for the examples we have to look at, and the lessons we an learn and apply in our own lives.
We pray for ourselves if we are troubled, and we pray for all those in our own church family who may be troubled, that You would lead them to put their hope and trust in You. Help them Lord to look away from their troubles and look intently and consistently at You.
In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia