Opening Prayer: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic are Your ways, awesome Your words, and wonderous Your works. We bow before You because You love us even though we are incapable of fully loving You. We will respect You, God, because of Your greatness. We will also praise and worship You with all of Our hearts and announce your mighty deeds to others. (Adapted from Psalm 8:9-91). Through Christ’s name, be the glory. Amen!
Today’s Bible Verse: Psalm 42:11
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior, and my God.
Associated Scriptures:
When men are brought low and you say, 'Lift them!' then he will save the downcast. (Job 22:29).
“For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless, a miserable business (Ecclesiastes 4:8).
But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again (Galatians 4:9)?
Correlative Quotes:
In the rehearsal of his sorrow, he (David) finds, after all, no sufficient ground for being disquieted (distressed). Looked in the face, his fears were not so overwhelming as they seemed when shrouded in obscurity. Hope thou in God.[1] – Charles Spurgeon
…the meaning of this gladdening stream is the ever-flowing communication of God Himself in His grace. The stream is the fountain in flow.[2] – W. Robertson Nicoll
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.[3] – Helen Howarth Lemmel
Authors Notes:
INTRODUCTION
We find these encouraging words in Romans 5:1-2: Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Our joy, however, is not confined to the future. True, there are cares and sorrows in this present life. But it does not, therefore, follow that we are to postpone all joy until we reach the spirit-land. "No," says the apostle, boldly; "we glory even in our tribulations."[4] – H. D. M. Spence and Joseph Excell
The weight of the world sometimes feels as if it is too heavy a load for us to carry. We react by turning inward, pouring ourselves into another person’s life, failing to communicate our problems with professionals, or drifting into chemical dependency.
FAILING TO COPE: THE WEARY AND TROUBLED
We all fight a battle between fear and faith. This war that rages in us suffers losses but also sees great victories. We must identify the outcomes of these two types of battles to understand how they happen. When we are on the losing end, it reflects on the use of our power to resolve internal conflicts. When everything works out for the good (Romans 8:28), it is the Spirit who was working in us. Making everything unfold for the good requires trust in God. Trust is the fuel driving success.
Mankind is a triune being. We are body, soul, and spirit. The body is the visible interpretation of our existence. It is the soul that gives the body life. The soul of mankind is immortal. (Genesis 35:18). The body is controlled by the soul (Genesis 2:7). When the Bible says: the soul that sins will die (Ezekiel 18:4, NKJV), it means eternal death in the lake of fire (Matthew 24:41). It is the spirit that gives us life eternal (John 6:33, John 3:3-6, and Romans 8:1-3).
Often we are confused and disturbed. We can’t see the plan of God playing out in the future (Proverbs 27:1). Unbelievers and some believers want to know what is going to happen. They do not trust in God. Those who follow His plan do so moment by moment, trusting in the work of God. Good and not evil are at play in the lives of believers (Job 42:2). When God is in control, there is no reason for confusion or fear.
FINDING HOPE IN GOD
Hope is the weapon of winning. It secures our sanity and stability. Those who have faith in God will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23).
Giving God the credit by praising and thanking Him for even the smallest miracle in life brings confidence and erases discouragement (Psalm 150).
We receive spiritual deliverance through salvation (Psalm 108:6). Our salvation is an act of God’s love (John 3:16).
Spiritual Application:
Disappointment looms like a dark cloud within those who live a life of discouragement. A negative outlook on life drives many people to unhealthy outlets attempting to relieve the pain disappointment produces. Joy is not found in a new apartment or house. It does not come from surrounding ourselves with others. It is not satisfied with what comes out of a bottle or a baggie. Externally induced moments of happiness are unpredictable and short-lived. True joy comes with a relationship with God. Hope is its byproduct. Hope is the catalyst for lasting joy. Trust God!
Lessons within the Lesson:
How do you measure a successful life? Read Proverbs 16:3.
Why do the body, the soul, and the spirit have different functions?
How do these different functions impact the life of the believer?
Can we be released from discouragement? Read Romans 5:13.
[1] Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Psalm 42:11, Ibid, P. 275.
[2] W. Robertson Nicoll, Psalm 9, The Expositor’s bible, Public Domain, New York A. C. Armstrong And Son 3 and 5 West Eighteenth Street, P. 82.
[3] Helen Howarth Lemmel, Oh Soul are you Weary and Troubled, Public Domain godtube.com/popular-hymns, Public Domain.
[4] H. D. M. Spence and Joseph Excell, The Pulpit Commentary, Public Domain, Romans 5:3, , Funk & Wagnalls Company New York And Toronto, P. 139.