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9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

11 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.

The writer of this Psalm is suffering spiritual depression. He is pouring out his feelings to God, not praying as such, but expressing his despair of feeling alone and separated from God. He then starts questioning himself; “Why, my soul, are you downcast, why so disturbed within me?” (vs 11). Then it’s like a light bulb goes off in his head and the answer is clear. “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God!” He remembered that God is faithful, God is with him, and he will praise Him no matter what is happening.

This reminds me very much of an old V8 TV commercial which shows a man stuffing his face with junk food and the jingle goes:

“Just got to have a treat, but you shouldn’t eat. Snacking the whole night through, look what it does to you.”

Then the man smacks himself on the side of his head and says, “Man, I could have had a V8!” The announcer goes on to describe the healthy benefits of the ingredients in a V8.

I think this Psalmist gave himself a spiritual pep talk on what he believed, slapped his hand on the side of his head and said, “Wow, what was I thinking? I trust God. I’m going to focus on His promises. My hope is in Him.”

God, like the V8 in the commercial, is the better choice. Let us fill ourselves with the good stuff, our trust and faith in God our Father and not the junk food this world has to offer. Our praise will be an outpouring result of our faith.

Dear Heavenly Father, Sometimes we need a head slap to bring our focus back to You, the One who promises to always be with us. Please help us to turn to you first and not fall into despair. May your praises always be on our lips. Amen

 

Kris Messmer kmmessmer@charter.net