Never Forsaken

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Ps 42:5)

The psalmist speaks of a time of trouble in his life, when tears are many and God seems far (v3). In the midst of his despondency, the psalmist reminds himself of the hope we have in God. Indeed, his longing for God has never seemed stronger (v1-2). The very distance he feels from God strengthens that longing.

But there is hope! Even as he wonders why God seems to have forgotten him (v9), his faith is strong. Times of refreshing will come again. What the psalmist recognizes is that his feelings of rejection and abandonment do not reflect the way things really are. God is present. God will save. Despair will give way to joy, and praise will once again flow freely from his heart.

It is natural for us to feel down when times are hard. But we must never forget that faith is not based on feelings, but on what we know of the character and constancy of God. He never leaves us. He never changes. I will put my hope in God.

Please Pass the Honey

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Pro 16:24)

How easy it is to bless someone! All we have to do is say something nice to them! A word of thanks or a sincere compliment will lift the spirits of friend and stranger alike. Parents are often told to catch their kids doing something right. But that is true of everyone! I will try to catch people doing something right today, and tell them about it.

A Father's Words

For you know we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (I Thes 2:11-12)

Lord, help me to do this with my own sons. I want to be encouraging and comforting, without neglecting to urge them to godliness. Help me never to be silenced by discouragement or complacency, but continually to speak your love and your truth to them. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” May I be so full of your Spirit that spiritual words of love and truth would come bubbling up naturally from who I am, unselfconsciously and sincerely. May the testimony of my life also proclaim your love and your truth, even when no words are spoken. Amen.

Reckless Words

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Pr 12:18)

Lord, forgive me for the hurtful words I sometimes say to others when I am upset or stressed. Forgive me for hurting those closest to me. Lord, I thank you for my friends and family. Help me to be a blessing and an encouragement to them.