Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Psalm 143:4-6

Psalm 143:4-6    "Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.  (5)  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.  (6)  I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah."

I am all too capable of identifying myself with the Psalmist when he speaks of being overwhelmed, dry and desolate in his spirit, and being thirsty for God.  I can't speak for anyone else, but I know human nature, itself, causes us to enter into seasons when our very spirits become dry and longing for fulfillment. You would hope that at that time, Satan would back off and leave us alone. Be assured, we must always be on guard for at our weakest moments, Satan sends his largest attacks. He has no pity nor mercy on anyone. The Psalmist begins this particular Psalm with the acknowledgement that the enemy is in hot pursuit of him.  He may have been talking about King Saul trying to kill him. Or, he may have been talking about Satan trying to destroy him with fiery darts that were constantly being hurled.  Whichever the instance, David was hurting on the inside. He was needing relief.  Have you ever been there in your spirit?

As we read this Psalm (and we hope to look further at it on Monday), we can see David had not forgotten the source of all mercy, pity, love, and compassion. "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."  There are times in our lives when we need to stop and remember times when the Lord intervened on our behalf. There are many things in the past which need to be left behind, but there are times when you would have been devoured if God had not been on your side. Why is it necessary to recall those times? For one thing, it boosts our faith to know God is able to deliver those who seek His face and turn back to Him. It is important to be specific in remembering those times. Remember how God worked in your life for your good.

When we can focus our attention upon the grace, mercy, and power of our Lord, we begin to remember where our help comes from. To use David's words,  "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)  As we remember the goodness of God, our focus is switched from our situation to God's provision.  The hard times, though difficult to endure, will lead us to the very source of contentment and relief.  "My help comes from the Lord, the Living Water that soothes, refreshes, and renews.  Jesus stands with open arms, "Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden. I will give you rest."

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...

Daily Devotion: Colossians 1:25-26

Colossians 1:25-26    “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  Even   the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” In verse twenty-four, Paul has expressed his joy in bearing hardship for the church. It is of this church, the body of Jesus Christ, that he is made a minister. Since Paul used the phrase “made a minister” in verse twenty-three of this same chapter, it seems there is something important that he wishes to convey. The Greek word translated as “made” means “to cause to be.” It was the will of God (Col 1:1) that caused Paul to become a minister. God is always the cause of true ministry. Although our fathers may be ministers, if we become true ministers of the gospel it is  not  because our fathers are ministers. True ministers of the gospel do not take that path because they seek honor for themselves, or b...

Daily Devotion: Matthew 6:9-13 (3)

Matthew 6:9-13    "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When others might go away from us, God has promised never to forsake us. When others might not be truthful, our Father in heaven is faithful and full of truth. When others cannot understand our feelings, our Heavenly Father knows exactly how we feel and is able to empathize with us. In fact, He has told us that He is "touched by the feelings of our infirmities." He is stirred when we are sad.  Our relationship with Him is of th...