There is Healing for Your Soul
Scripture
Psalm 42:5
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God
Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
We living in a season of unprecedented turmoil, crisis, chaos and uncertainty. There are many factors that contribute to these conditions in society including impacts of the global COVID-19 Pandemic, sickness, death, job/career loss and general pain and suffering all around us. No one is immune to these pressures. The impacts on our lives have deeply afflicted our souls and left many people feeling helpless, hopeless, depressed and in despair. Prolonged social distancing and isolation have left families struggling to cope with issues they have never faced. Our souls are diseased and in desperate need of healing. One writer called it: “this present darkness”.
The Psalmist faced a similar crisis and soul sickness in Psalm 42 when he wrote: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” He described his soul as being ‘cast down and disquieted’ which implies profound sadness, despair and a lack of peace, but he immediately realizes that his way of escape is ‘Hope in God’ and that he must praise God, even in the midst of the affliction of his own soul. Giving God praise ‘in spite of’ activates a weapon to combat the afflictions of the soul. Praise is also a garment that we as believers must wear to life the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). God is your hope and the help of your countenance. He will heal you and deliver you from this present darkness into His marvelous light. David made a very personal affirmation that the Lord was the restorer of his soul (and ours) in Psalm 23:3 when he declared “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness. For His name’s sake.”
Will you praise God while your soul is afflicted? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to comfort, restore and prepare you for the future that God has planned for you?
This teaching is very encouraging. Thank you.
Nothing in this world can consume us when our faith contains us. Just don’t go through trials, grow through them. Our souls get weary but when we replace pain with prayer, worry with worship God moves in us in a mighty way!
Amen!