February 27, 2011

Psalm 43 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 21:1-11, Acts 28:1-16, Leviticus 23-25

Journal Entry

Scripture

For you are the God in whom I take refuge, Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me, Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God

Observation

David is pleading with God with an utter dependence and transparency. He is crying out about his enemies and the sense of rejection and mourning. Yet through all of this he pleads to be taken to God's altar, to God his exceeding joy. He acknowledges the evil around him but does not mix that with God who is his exceeding joy.

Application

I need to realize that what I suffer through daily and in my life may be a reality of circumstances but that my hope and joy comes only from being present with God. He wants me to cry out to him with honesty and to trust that He hears my pleas. Yes, I can feel rejected and lost but I can seek his light and truth and live my life trusting His providence for me.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving me the freedom to be lost at times, to feel that I am distant from you. Let me realize this and to come to you with all of my joys and burdens knowing that you are my salvation and my God. Allow me to share all of the heights and depths of my experiences with you and to only find rest and joy in relationship with you. In Christ's name...Amen.

--matt k.