Day 7 - 40 days of HOPE

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of HOPE
Day  7| WAIT EXPECTANTLY
WAIT EXPECTANTLY

Psalm 42:11
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”
 
(AMP)

Have you felt “down” recently?  Maybe even beyond “down” – perhaps even to the point of despair?

Are there things going on today in and around you that cause you to be frustrated, bothered, or… as it says here “restless and disquieted”?

The answer may well be “YES,” as every time in history has things “going on” that affect how we feel, think, believe, and act.  And the average person tends to feel UP when external circumstances are going well … and DOWN when they are not.

This Psalm, by the Sons of Korah, was to be reflective and contemplative as the reader (or singers in the original days) would sing about their relationship with God and their feelings and emotions.

Another translation says: “So I say to my soul, ‘Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed.  For I know that my God will breakthrough for me.’”

“HOPE IN GOD and wait expectantly for Him” as it says in this scripture, is the KEY to pulling yourself OUT of the place of despair and discouragement.

Have you been there?  Feeling so low that you don’t know where to look, where to go, how to get yourself OUT of the pit you’re in?
This Psalm recognizes the feelings – part of the human condition – and the answer is: “Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him.”

If you’re feeling down when you finish reading this… stop. Then RENEW your HOPE in the LORD and start to praise Him for ALL the beautiful things He HAS done.

Prayer: LORD, you HAVE done so many marvelous things for me. Help me not get sidetracked by my current situation so that I lose sight of what You’ve done for me and how Great You Are!  I am waiting for You with hopeful expectations!  Amen.