Why, My Soul?
Date: April 5, 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): "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 (NIV)
L (Listen): Dear God, please help me to put my hope in You when I am feeling down or troubled. Remind me that You are always with me and that You have the power to lift me up and give me strength. Help me to trust in Your goodness and love, even when circumstances are difficult.
E (Explore): The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, hymns, and poems that were used in Jewish worship. Psalm 42 was written by the Sons of Korah, who were Levites and temple singers. The psalmist are expressing their deep longing for God and their distress at being separated from Him. In verse 5, the psalmist is addressing their own soul, which is feeling downcast and disturbed and are encouraging themselves to put their hope in God, who is their Savior and will ultimately bring them joy and praise.
S (Study):
“Soul” - Refers to the deepest part of the psalmist's being, their innermost self that is troubled and in need of comfort.
"Downcast" - This word refers to a feeling of sadness or depression.
"Disturbed" - This word means agitated or unsettled. The psalmist is recognizing that his inner being is troubled and anxious.
"Hope in God" - This phrase is an expression of trust and confidence in God's faithfulness and goodness. The psalmist is encouraging himself to place his hope in God as the source of comfort and deliverance.
"Praise Him" - This phrase refers to offering worship and thanksgiving to God. The psalmist is declaring his intention to praise God, even in the midst of his difficulties, because he trusts that God will come through for him.
S (Summarize):
We all go through seasons of sadness and struggle, and it can be easy to get lost in our emotions and feel overwhelmed. But as believers, we have the privilege of turning to God for comfort and hope. When we face difficult times, we can ask ourselves why our soul is downcast. When we take a moment to think about why we are feeling a certain way and what might be causing it, we can start to figure out what's really going on and deal with the main issue.
When we're going through a tough time, we can choose to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. He's the one who saves us and gives us joy, even when things seem really bad. Even if we feel like giving up, we can decide to thank God and praise Him for all He's done for us. We can know that He's working things out for our good. So if you're feeling sad or troubled, take a moment to think about why you're feeling that way, and talk to God about it. Trust in Him and give Him thanks, even if you're still having a hard time. Remember that God is always with you and He'll help you through this.
Bible Cross References:
Psalm 63:1 - "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." (NIV)
Psalm 143:6 - "I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:9 - "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness." (NIV)
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." (NIV)