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! Psalms 42:11 NLT
Have you ever been discouraged? Have you felt blue? Of course! These, along with all the other range of emotions, are part of being human.
The fact that we are followers of Christ doesn't free us from these feelings. We aren't placed into a special Christian bubble of protection to guard us against our humanity or a superhero cape of invincibility. When we're doing it right, as we grow closer to Christ, we become more sensitive and discontent with the sin around us–the oppression and injustice. When we take up our cross and follow Jesus, we see and feel the weight of the world's evil. We see how humankind has gone so far off the rails of God's plan, and we can't help but feel sad.
But listen to the third sentence,'' I will put my hope in God!" There is hope, and that hope is God! The divine and human–God come to earth–Jesus understands these emotions; he experienced them himself. He witnessed first-hand the human bent for sinning and the devastation that follows. Christ himself was at times discouraged and saddened by all he saw, yet he came to bring us new hope.
In accepting Jesus, we are forgiven our sins and given a new vision through his eyes. We can see the potential of a world without sin–a new Eden–and work to make it so. Though there will still be times when we are dispirited and blue, God, through the Holy Spirit, experiences those times with us, offering encouragement and strength.
The verse closes with, "I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!" Yes! What a reason to rejoice, for we are loved so much that while we are sinners, God took human form as the perfect sacrifice to die for us. He didn't just die but was resurrected and ascended. Seated at the right hand of the Father, he intercedes for us. When we are feeling low, Christ lifts us up. Thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah! Amen!
God, thank you for your boundless love and the hope we find in Jesus Christ. When we are discouraged and saddened, help us to remember that hope. May we see this time through your eyes as something not to be endured–gritting our teeth and bearing it–but as an opportunity to glorify you. Help us to be doers, by the Holy Spirit lead and guide us into the new Eden. In the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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