By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div.
Saturday Devotion and Prayer. April 8, 2023
“The Discouraged Heart”
“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. [18] The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all”. Psalm 34:17-19
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Especially, in the case of sickness or the loss of a friend or loved one. Keeping our minds on the truth of God’s Word can be challenging. We often wish we could escape troubles: the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted,” to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Sometimes he chooses to deliver us from those problems. When trouble strikes, don’t get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need his help and thank him for being by your side.
God never promised an easy life. In fact, the verse above says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” But Psalms 34:19 also says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
So, when the emotional waves of life’s circumstances wash over us, and we feel discouraged, where do we find the strength to keep on keeping on? How do we get out of bed when the world seems too daunting? How do we still hold on to hope when nothing ever seems to go right? Remember, no matter what we go through or where we are; we can never outrun our Father in heaven (Psalm 139:7-8). He instructs us to “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Right now, “Place your right hand over your heart. Press until you can feel your heartbeat. Breathe and focus on your beating heart. As you do that, remind yourself that if God is still allowing your heart to beat, He’s not done with you or your story yet. He’s still working, and He’s still sustaining your life”.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the beat in our hearts and the breath in our lungs. Lord, You see the end from the beginning. You know when we rise and when we sit. You know our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them (Psalm 139). We know that nothing takes You by surprise and that You work all things together for good to those who love You (Romans 8:28).
Lord, in this season of discouragement, please remind us that You are for us and not against us (Romans 8:31). Please remind us we are the apple of your eye (Zechariah 2:8). And remind us You never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Please be a shield around us, and when our heads are too heavy for us to lift, please be the Lifter of Our Heads (Psalm 3:3).
Lord, remind us of Your character when all we see is a disappointment; for we know You are our hope and future. Teach our hearts to sing in the midnight hour. Thank You for keeping track of our tears (Psalm 56:8). Thank You for hearing our prayer. We believe but help our unbelief. We need You, Father, as much as we need water and food. We love You. Help us to love You more and to be determined to follow hard after You. And when we fail, as we will, help us to get back up and run this race of faith with endurance setting our eyes on You, so we won’t grow weary and discouraged in our soul (Hebrews 12:1-3)
I pray You would expedite this season of discouragement and that we would soon see You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think (Ephesians 3:20-21). In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. [18] The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all”. Psalm 34:17-19
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Especially, in the case of sickness or the loss of a friend or loved one. Keeping our minds on the truth of God’s Word can be challenging. We often wish we could escape troubles: the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted,” to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Sometimes he chooses to deliver us from those problems. When trouble strikes, don’t get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need his help and thank him for being by your side.
God never promised an easy life. In fact, the verse above says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” But Psalms 34:19 also says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
So, when the emotional waves of life’s circumstances wash over us, and we feel discouraged, where do we find the strength to keep on keeping on? How do we get out of bed when the world seems too daunting? How do we still hold on to hope when nothing ever seems to go right? Remember, no matter what we go through or where we are; we can never outrun our Father in heaven (Psalm 139:7-8). He instructs us to “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Right now, “Place your right hand over your heart. Press until you can feel your heartbeat. Breathe and focus on your beating heart. As you do that, remind yourself that if God is still allowing your heart to beat, He’s not done with you or your story yet. He’s still working, and He’s still sustaining your life”.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the beat in our hearts and the breath in our lungs. Lord, You see the end from the beginning. You know when we rise and when we sit. You know our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them (Psalm 139). We know that nothing takes You by surprise and that You work all things together for good to those who love You (Romans 8:28).
Lord, in this season of discouragement, please remind us that You are for us and not against us (Romans 8:31). Please remind us we are the apple of your eye (Zechariah 2:8). And remind us You never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Please be a shield around us, and when our heads are too heavy for us to lift, please be the Lifter of Our Heads (Psalm 3:3).
Lord, remind us of Your character when all we see is a disappointment; for we know You are our hope and future. Teach our hearts to sing in the midnight hour. Thank You for keeping track of our tears (Psalm 56:8). Thank You for hearing our prayer. We believe but help our unbelief. We need You, Father, as much as we need water and food. We love You. Help us to love You more and to be determined to follow hard after You. And when we fail, as we will, help us to get back up and run this race of faith with endurance setting our eyes on You, so we won’t grow weary and discouraged in our soul (Hebrews 12:1-3)
I pray You would expedite this season of discouragement and that we would soon see You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think (Ephesians 3:20-21). In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
