Psalm 43:5
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.
Have you ever received one of those notices from the friendly folks at your bank informing you that there is a deficit in your checking account and you need to take action immediately or dire action will follow?
It is very easy for us to feel overwhelmed by circumstance. As a result, we spend far too much time wallowing around in self-pity or complaining that life is so hard we can hardly stand it.
When I read today’s Scripture, I visualize a group of athletes getting set for their event. You can see each of them pausing and even see their lips moving as they tell themselves that they can do it. It will require their very best, but they can do it.
Sometimes we need to give ourselves a pep talk. To others it may appear that we are talking to ourselves, and in fact I guess that is what it is. But as we read this passage in Psalm 43:5, it is a clear picture of the Psalmist talking to himself. He is distressed. His dauber is in the mud, so to speak. He is trying to shake his own shoulders and wake up spiritually. He gives himself as well as us the answer: “But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). That, Dear Heart, is how to overcome a PRAISE DEFICIT.
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil