By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Hope in God!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Psalm 42:11 English Standard Version

Everyone gets upset sometimes.  The Psalm writer is struggling within himself, for he is “cast down” and “in turmoil”.  Do you get cast down or in turmoil sometimes?  I know I do, and it really doesn’t take too much to get me there.

It might be that someone has hurt my feelings or I have suffered a loss or my plans didn’t go the way I wanted them to.  Or perhaps I am in physical pain or not feeling well or I am frustrated with my own lack of Christian character.  Whatever the cause, it is easy to be cast down or in turmoil.

What can I do when I am in that place of depression or turmoil?  Perhaps you have tried the common solutions; ignore the problem, ingest some alcohol or drugs, binge watch TV shows, take your anger or pain out on other people.  None of these truly help and often only exacerbate the problem!

The verse above says simply, “Hope in God…”  It often takes a while for us to get there, to quit trying to fix our problems our selves and turn to the Lord who loves us and has had mercy upon us in his Son, Jesus.  He is our salvation, he is our refuge and hiding place, he is the One who gives us lasting peace.

Why am I cast down and in turmoil?  Probably because I have not turned this circumstance over to my Lord and Savior and Friend.

Lord, I cast all my anxieties and pain and turmoil into your hands.  Thank you for your grace and mercy and patience with me!  You are my hope and my salvation!  In Jesus. Amen.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado