“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God!“-{Psalm 43:5}….
The Psalmist answered himself…
I WILL put my HOPE… in GOD.
I WILL PRAISE… Him again.
MY God. MY Savior-
Note he comes back to God and Who He is to him personally “MY God… MY Savior.” He relates who Gd is to him on a personal basis. And so with you. Who has God said He is to you. Start with God and end with God and in between think right about God in your difficult circumstances, for He has not forgotten or abandoned you no matter what the feelings you experience scream or the difficult circumstances that seem insurmountable around you.
Often we need to THINK Back at how we have seen Him work in history, in the lives of those in Scripture, and in our own lives, to THINK RIGHT about Him. To Think on Truth. And as we meditate upon His Word the Spirit of God can meet us with Hope- the confident assurance that as God has been He still is and will be. WE ALL THINK ABOUT GOD, BUT THINKING RIGHT ABOUT GOD IS NOT ALWAYS TRUE OF US, IS IT? THAT IS ONE REASON WE HAVE TO “RENEW OUR MINDS” as Paul says in Romans 1:1-2. Renew our minds so we can be TRANSFORMED in our thinking which influences our actions- TO ALLIGN UP WITH WHO HE SAYS HE IS FOR THAT IS WHO HE IS!
Remember whether the LORD delivered Israel from Egypt and across the Red Sea? They built a “golden calf” and said this is the LORD who delivered them. But it wasn’t. That was their interpretation of Him and He was not that. They had a wrong concept of Him. We too build up a “god” of our imagination at times and we need His Word to help straighten out our thinking don’t we?
A Change of Focus…off self onto GOD… THINK RIGHT about God and PRAISE Him.
Pick 6 truths about Him to Change your THINKING and Praise Him for each one. For Example,
- – He is Faithful {Reliable, Trustworthy} to His Word, to Keep His Promises, to never leave or forsake me.I PRAISE You LORD that you Are Faithful to Your Word, to Keep Your Promises-{Hebrews 10:23}…
- – With Him there is complete Forgiveness -{Psalm103:4}
- – His Blood Cleanses Permanently from all Unrighteousness -{1 John 1:7,9}
- – He loves me and nothing or no one can separate me from His love -{Romans 8:31-39}
- – I have Access to His Throne to Receive Mercy, Grace and Help in time of Need -{Hebrews 4:15-16}
- – God is Good {Psalm107:1}… and
- – He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts me -{2 Cor 1:3-4}
Note
His FAITHFULNESS- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM.
HIS FORGIVENESS- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM.
HIS CLEANSING- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM.
HIS LOVE- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM.
HIS HELP IN TIME OF NEED- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM.
HIS GOODNESS- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM.
HIS MERCY AND COMFORT- THINK ON IT…PRAISE HIM!
MEDITATE UPON HIM AND AN ASPECT OF HIS CHARACTER and as you do the Spirit of God will strengthen your mind and heart with Hope as you Hope in God. And here is a prayer I leave you with and pray as you read it, “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”-{Romans 15:13}
What can you add to the list to help change your FOCUS and as a PRIMER… TO PRAISE HIM?