Category Archives: Psalms

Psalm 42:11 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. 

Dear God, this wasn’t the “verse of the day” that I normally use for these journals lately, but I ran across it while I was reading the verse of the day and it completely hit the feeling I’ve had. Over the last few weeks, I have had a gnawing in my gut that is usually reserved for checks in my spirit when I am trying to pray through a difficult decision I must make. I’m not quite sure what it’s about. 

I have some family members going through different crises. Is that what’s causing it? There are a couple of things going on at work that concern me. Is that it? My daughter is about to leave for college and my son is out there on his own in life. Is that it? I almost never get this way without an obvious reason, and not understanding what’s causing the feeling is as frustrating as feeling it in the first place. 

Father, at the end of the day, this verse brings it all home. 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. 

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen 

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 
Dear God, this passage makes me think of a conversation I had at work yesterday with someone who was worried about our nuclear posturing with North Korea. I game her Luke 12:25 (who of you by worrying can add a day…). That’s what this is about. You might not save our earthly bodies, but you have our souls in the palm of your hands. 

But that doesn’t stop me from praying about the earthly things. For the person going through an ugly divorce, that all involved will be treated with justice and mercy. For the lonely person who needs companionship. For the hungry person who need food. For the addicted person who needs freedom. For the mourning person who needs comfort. 

Father, to paraphrase a Newsboys song, I don’t know where all of this is going or how it all works out, but please lead us to peace that passes understanding and meet the needs as they fall within your will. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen