Daily Devotional
Are You Soul Searching?
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”
Psalm 42:5
September 10, 2023
Ponder This
The psalmist said to his soul, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” Now this is where you have to take control. You have to look your soul straight in the eye and say, “Soul, why are you feeling this way?” You have to look within and analyze your heart. Why are you depressed?
Maybe you’ve lost a loved one to death. Maybe it’s a child. Maybe it’s a spouse. If you’ve lost a loved one, pour out your grief to God. Ask your friends to help share your grief and realize that life is not over for you. Whatever it is, refuse to brood and rehearse it over and over again. It does no good. If you’ve had a heartbreak, see what you’ve learned from that heartbreak and then go out and begin to develop some new relationships. Perhaps you have sinned or done some grievous thing, and you’re being haunted by the ghost of guilt. What do you do? Confess it to God. If you need to confess it to someone else and ask for forgiveness, do it. If you can make restitution, do it. Do what you do and then close the door behind it. Analyze. Look at your heart. Ask yourself, “Why am I cast down?”
- What are some things that have caused you to be cast down?
- Where do you typically turn when you are downcast?
Practice This
Share with someone how God has worked in your life in a moment when you were downcast.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
