“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
When striving becomes a central aspect of your day-to-day, you can become like an untethered balloon, being blown this way and that way by every unexpected gust of wind or circumstance. Your identity becomes wrapped up in how much you can do, and your feelings about yourself and others can become the driving forces in your life. And yet, the central aspect of the Christian life isn’t what you can do, but
who you know -
Jesus, the Savior and King. Instead of a balloon, you can be like a flag. You might still be blown around by the wind, but now, you’re connected to something more stable and more sturdy. When you slow down from the striving, choosing to Sabbath in God, you begin to see that you have a support that holds no matter what winds blow, and therefore, your faith in Jesus can be the driving force of your life, not your feelings.
Reflect + Apply:
Read Psalm 42 over your soul. If any feelings are currently trying to take control of your life, cast them on God. Set your hope on Him and commit to the pace of peace.
God, I rest today knowing that You have tethered my heart to You. I declare, again, that no amount of striving can accomplish for me what You have already done for me.
Scripture References
15.This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:“In repentance and rest is your salvation,in quietness and trust is your strength,but you would have none of it.
1.Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners takeor sit in the company of mockers,2.but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.
11.You make known to me the path of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence,with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
7.Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
1.The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
8.Taste and see that the Lord is good;blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.9.Fear the Lord, you his holy people,for those who fear him lack nothing.
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.
10.for every animal of the forest is mine,and the cattle on a thousand hills.
1.Hear my cry, O God;listen to my prayer.2.From the ends of the earth I call to you,I call as my heart grows faint;lead me to the rock that is higher than I.3.For you have been my refuge,a strong tower against the foe.
10.Better is one day in your courtsthan a thousand elsewhere;I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Godthan dwell in the tents of the wicked.
1.Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.91:1 Hebrew Shaddai2.I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”
1.Praise the Lord, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2.Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—3.who forgives all your sinsand heals all your diseases,4.who redeems your life from the pitand crowns you with love and compassion,5.who satisfies your desires with good thingsso that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
50.My comfort in my suffering is this:Your promise preserves my life.
1.Unless the Lord builds the house,the builders labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city,the guards stand watch in vain.
1.How good and pleasant it iswhen God’s people live together in unity!
7.They celebrate your abundant goodnessand joyfully sing of your righteousness.
