By: Juliet Constantine
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why are thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet raise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
Did you know that Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5 ended with the same words – the exact words as noted in today’s text? You will also note, while reading through Psalm 42, that verse 5 is similar – just a few word changes. My personal translation is: Why am I feeling so hopeless, why do I despair when God is my Rock? I will wait on God to turn things for me. He is my God.
In dialogue with friends, and even strangers, I’ve discovered that our struggles are similar and our responses to our struggles are also similar. We pray, believe, hope; but we also tend to despair, to become sad and depressed when things aren’t going the way we want them to. Yes, we all believe in God – another similarity – and we’ve prayed for breakthrough to our various struggles. But sometimes, the wait is long and hope flickers. Yet we continue to believe, to pray and hope.
I am reminded of an experience Daniel had that led him to pray for his Israelite nation in their captivity. His was a prayer of confession, not only for himself, but also for his countrymen. Daniel sought understanding and deliverance from God. For 21 days he basically fasted and prayed. He was in mourning! God must answer. And God did. God answered the very first day Daniel started his prayer. So what happened? Why did it take 21 days if the answer was given on day 1? See Daniel Chapter 10.
Just as in Daniel’s experience, the “Prince of Persia” sometimes delayed the answer to our prayers. But Michael will come to our rescue. I just paused this morning to tell you that your weeping is just for the “night”. God isn’t sleeping. He will deliver. Whatever your struggles – hold on! Just as a day consist of a dark part and a light part, our light will come. Just as the sunshine comes after the rain, The Son of righteousness will shine on you – just hold on!
We must hold on – we can do no other. The alternative is not an option. We must keep on believing that God will make a way. So, cheer up, joy comes in the morning. The weeping is just for the night. Daniel got his breakthrough – you will too. I will get mine.
Our Father and our God, why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I put my hope in You God and once again, I will praise You because you are my Saviour and my God. Grant us the joy that comes in the morning of our struggles. Grant us all a great rejoicing now and when Jesus returns, we pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
