God Speaks
Trusting and Interacting with God in the Midst of Difficulty and Wickedness
Verse of the Day: [Verses 5 and 11 of Psalm 42 are identical.] 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 and 11 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding Psalms 5, 38, 41-42
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Psalms 5
1. To put it mildly, God is not pleased with wickedness, evil and arrogance. He hates wrongdoing and lying. He detests deceit and bloodthirstiness–violence and killing.
2. People who continue to do such things will be banished from God’s presence, but those who turn to Him in humble repentance will be glad, sing for joy and be surrounded with His favor.
Psalms 38
1. God accepts those who confess their iniquity and are troubled by their sin.
2. People’s guilt can overwhelm them. Their sinful folly can lead to various health issues–physically, emotionally and relationally.
Psalms 41
1. The LORD God is to be praised. He heals and delivers His faithful ones in times of trouble. He is from everlasting to everlasting.
2. People are to admit their sin and avoid gossip and slander.
Psalms 42
1. The LORD God is the true and living God, not some lifeless statue or some human ideology regardless of how seemingly powerful.
2. People are to seek hard after the LORD God and abide in His protection–to put their hope in God.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding Psalms 5, 38, 41-42?
To put it mildly, LORD God, You are not pleased with the wickedness, evil and arrogance that is so prevalent today. You hate all the wrongdoing and lying. You detest deceit and bloodthirstiness–violence and killing. People who continue to do such things will be banished from Your presence forever. But those who turn to You, LORD, in humble repentance will be glad, sing for joy and be surrounded with Your favor. You lovingly accept those of us who confess our iniquity and are troubled by our sin. People’s guilt should overwhelm them so that they turn back to You. Our sinful folly often leads to various health issues–physically, emotionally and relationally. Praise be to You, LORD God! You forgive on the basis of Christ’s death, resurrection and intercession. You heal and deliver those who put their faith in Him. In times of trouble, You are always near. You are from everlasting to everlasting. Holy Spirit, You enable people to admit their sin and avoid gossip, slander and any other kind of sin. You, LORD God, are the true and living God, not some lifeless statue or some human ideology regardless of how seemingly powerful. People are to seek hard after You and abide in Your protection–to put their hope in God. That’s how we bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Psalms 5, 38, 41-42?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will cry out to God for help against the wickedness I see all around me and in my own heart.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to point out and root out any sins in my life that are making me sick.
- I will both avoid and stand up against gossip and slander–any kind of put-down or belittling.
- I will confirm my hope in Him by praising my Savior and my God.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.