Passage of the Day:
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One[d]with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. 5 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. 6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 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 42:1-11.
Reflection:
Feeling despondent is a symptom of a downcast soul. The director of music who is mentioned as one of the sons of Korah wrote this Psalm. This musical piece appears to have been inspired by a difficult period in this individual’s life. You may experience days, weeks, months or years where nothing seems to go right. In these moments of spiritual unrest, you may question if God is out there as this storm continues. If doubt begins to consume your soul, the suggestion of the Psalmist involves placing your hope in God.
Prayerful Action:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:17-18.
Refreshing Your Soul:
God warns Cain in Genesis 4:6-7 about the downcast expression on his face. This passage serves as a warning to anyone who seeks rebellion due to envy or jealousy in their heart. If sin is crouching at your door when your soul is downcast, it’s essential that you don’t let your emotions influence your actions. Rather than take things into your own hands, place your hope and trust in the Lord.
Song of the Day:
Jesus shares His plan to bounce back from a downcast soul in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:33. When Christians get their priorities in order by seeking first righteousness, everything else will fall into place. This is how you can bounce back from a downcast soul.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 