READ: Psalm 42 (Focus vs. 1-8)
MEMORY VERSE
Why, my soul, are you downcast? . . . Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
BACKGROUND
Author Richard Mouw tells of a Black theologian from South Africa who struggled with dark memories of life under apartheid. Mouw wrote, “He told a story about an African child whose teacher asked her to define ‘memory.’
After thinking about it, the child said, ‘Memory is that thing that helps me to forget.’ ” Out of the mouths of babes! Her past held much she didn’t want to recall, so she wanted to remember the good things.
Many carry the scars of terrible, seemingly unforgettable things. But that child’s wisdom offers hope. If we learn to remember better things, those memories can strengthen us to move forward from our painful past.
In Psalm 42, the psalmist feels like a deer running for its life. However, he also says, “These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng” (v. 4).
The singer’s memories of worshiping God encouraged him to praise, even in the midst of pain. “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” (v. 5).
Remembering who our God is—and that we are His—can help us move beyond the painful past we can’t forget.
Bill Crowder
INSIGHT
Psalm 42 is a song of ups and downs. The singer rises to crescendo (vv. 1-4) with a statement of praise and celebration, joining the throng in worship (presumably at the temple or tabernacle).
The singer then expresses a deep emotional low, “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” (v. 5).
This pattern follows in the remainder of the psalm by showing the psalmist’s trust in Him in verse 8 only to repeat his lament in verse 11. When he feels that He has forsaken him (vv. 9-10), he remembers to put his “hope in God” (v. 11).
Today, when we find it difficult to move beyond our pain, it can provide comfort to remember that God is faithful.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
What dark memories of struggles and pains haunt you? How will you allow the God of all hope to move you beyond them?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Remembering who our God is—and that we are His—can help us move beyond the painful past we can’t forget.”
PR’s TAKE
The devil’s job is to remind us of the pain and failures of of the past. The Spirit’s job is to remind us of the hope of our future in Christ. pr
PRAYER
“Dear Father, You know my scars and wounds, my anger and grief. Please wrap me in Your goodness and mercy; give me healing from hurts long past but not forgotten.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“ENCOURAGE YOURSELF” Donald Lawrence
Sometimes you have to encourage yourself
Sometimes you have to speak victory during the test
And no matter how you feel
Speak the word, and you will be healed
Speak over yourself
Encourage yourself in the Lord
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sometimes you (sometimes you) have to encourage yourself
Gotta pat your own self on the back, yeah, yeah
Sometimes you have to speak victory during the test
And no matter how you feel (no matter how you feel)
Speak the word over your life, oh, oh…
…Depression is all around
But God is a present help
Well, the enemy created walls
But remember giants, they do fall
Speak over yourself
Encourage yourself in the Lord, oh
As I minister to you, oh I minister to myself
Life can hurt you so
‘Til you feel there’s nothing left
…no matter how you feel
Speak the word over your life…
You will be healed…
Sometimes you gotta look yourself in the mirror
And tell yourself, “I can make it” (Speak over yourself)
You gotta remember there’s life’s (and) death’s lock,
In the power of your own tongue
Speak over yourself and you will be healed
Even if nobody tells you, you can run on
You tell yourself (speak over yourself) hey
You gotta remember, I’m more than a conqueror
Hey, where there is weakness in me
(I’m encouraged)
I believe everything that the Lord said about me
(I’m encouraged)
Everything the enemy ever told me, it’s a lie, it’s a lie
I’m encouraged
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I am encouraged
I’m encouraged
Oh, yes I am
Oh, yes I am
(I’m encouraged)
Hey, hey, hey, hey…
I will life up mine eyes unto the hills, yeah
(I’m encouraged)
All of my help,
All of my help comes from the Lord, yeah
I’m encouraged
I believe, I believe everything He said about me…
Oh, yes I am
I’m encouraged
Oh, yes I am
I’m encouraged
Oh, yes I am
Hey, I am
(I’m encouraged)
I’m believe it’s gonna run on
I’m gonna run on and see what the end’s gonna be
I’m encouraged
I know something better is out there waiting for me
I’m encouraged
I believe everything the Lord said about me
Speak over yourself
Encourage yourself in the Lord
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
