What Do I Look For?
Date: April 11, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." Psalm 39:7 (NIV)
L - Listen: Dear Lord, please help me to understand the true meaning of this verse. Give me the wisdom to see beyond my own expectations and trust that my hope should be in You alone. Please guide me today and always. Amen.
E - Explore: Psalm 39 is a prayer of David, one of the greatest kings of Israel. David had his fair share of difficulties and struggles, and this Psalm reflects on his recognition of the frailty and brevity of human life. In this particular verse, David expresses his dependence on God and his desire to place his hope in Him alone. Despite his circumstances and trials, David acknowledges that God is his ultimate source of hope and salvation.
S - Study:
"Now, Lord" implies an immediate request to God.
"Look for" refers to David's search for meaning and purpose.
"Hope" speaks to the confident expectation that David has in God.
"you" is a reference to God, who is the object of David's hope and trust.
S - Summarize: It's easy to get caught up in our own plans and desires, but as David reminds us in this Psalm, our hope should always be in God. When we put our trust in Him, we can find peace and fulfillment that surpasses all understanding.
David was a man of great emotion who poured out his heart to God in both times of joy and times of sorrow. He understood that his hope was in God alone, and that his life was ultimately in His hands. In this verse, David expresses his desire for God to hear his prayer and answer him, as he knows that God is his only hope.
David was known for singing and dancing in praise to God, and while we may not all be comfortable dancing in the streets, we can still follow his example by singing and praising God aloud. Doing so can bring a powerful sense of peace and joy, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. When we choose to focus on God and His goodness, it can completely turn our day around and give us the strength to face whatever challenges come our way. So let's make a conscious effort to praise God in all things, knowing that He hears us and is faithful to answer us according to His will.
Bible Cross References:
Psalm 25:5 "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
Psalm 33:20-22 "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Lamentations 3:24-26 "I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."