Joy in Psalm 34
Today’s devotion is written by one of our supporters, Chelsey from Joyfully Living in His Glory. If you have not visited Chelsey at her home-blog, I encourage you to stop by today after you read her devotion…
If I’m not careful, I can get discouraged very easily. Life’s little tasks start to seem overwhelming, my duties as a wife and mother start to weigh me down, and discouragement starts to settle in and make a home. Do you ever have days like this? Do you ever struggle with finding the joy of God’s presence in your daily life?
In Psalm 77, David faced discouragement with a viable weapon. He says, “I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your works, and talk of Your deeds.” (Ps. 77:11-12 NKJV)
When we begin to feel that spirit of discouragement way heavily on us, that is when we need to reflect on the mighty deeds of the LORD and remember who we are to Him. Psalm 100 says we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! We cannot dwell in discouragement while his praise is “continually” in our mouths! (Ps 34:1)
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers the out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”
(selected verses, Psalm 34 NKJV)
Remember what He has done! We need to make the entirety of Psalm 34 our testimony! We should talk about His mighty deeds of old and the more recent ones on our own behalf! We should meditate on His mercy, faithfulness, and holiness! We need to praise Him for who He is and for what He has done. The discouragement will melt away in the power of His Word. Our strength will return and our vision will be cleared; our perspective restored.
Oh Father, give us your strength and wisdom to withstand the weight that discouragement often brings. With lifted hands and outstretched arms we cry out for you to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. Help us to praise you in the midst of our struggles and find our JOY in you.
Joyfully, Chelsey
Beautiful sweetie, bless you.
The Joy of the Lord is our strength!
Amen to that, Chelsey. Often I have to reminded through His Word about His faithfulness. Yes, life can get us discouraged, but we just have to be reminded what He has done.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words this morning.
Denise – thank you! 🙂
Tammy – Amen and Amen
Iris – Yes, for me it is a daily thing I have to do – seek His face and remind myself through His word that His joy is my strength.
I believe that is the perfect “perscription” for discouragement Chelsey. Thank you.
Chelsey, this was timed perfectly for me. I’m so discouraged right now I could scream. I rarely get discouraged. I have had a lingering case of bronchitis, a sinus infection and ear infections and was nearly in tears over it. No more. I will sing His praises! Thank you, dear friend, for this devotion!
Thank you for reminding me of this. And for the encouraging words.
I do need to work at keeping his praises right on the tip of my tounge…then when I open my mouth…that is what will pop out. lol
This is a wonderful reminder that when we focus on God nothing can bring us down. When we live our lives in the way that He has outlined we will definately know that we are worth somthing to God and that that is all that matters. I often remind myself, as I don’t believe my Mom or Mum think I am a good mom by the way they act, that God trusts me with these two little ones and through Him I am a good mommy. God is always growing me into a better one (so, I am not perfect OF CORSE *smile*) every day in every instance. *big smile* To know that God is in us and to think on that often will bring us both to a humbling point and to a joyful spot in Him.
Remember to pray always. Sincerely, -me- (Mommy of two little blessings)
Chelsey,
Wonderful devotion and AMEN. Thank you for giving yourself to us here at Laced With Grace. !!