I Can Cope, When in God I Place my Hope
Today, I mowed the lawn and got ready to be gone for a few days as Riley and I travel to Estes Park YMCA for a “Grand-Camp.” For the next four days we will be joining with other grandparents and their grandchildren for learning, worship and having fun together.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5,6 (NCV)
The title of today’s devotional is the theme for today at “Grandcamp.” It proved to be a fitting title for today’s verse. The mood in other versions is described with the words, “downcast” and “disquieted.” They are probably more accurate to describe the intense feelings of discouragement and despondency.
A “cast” sheep is one that is on its back with no or little hope for survival, unless the shepherd comes to its rescue. I am reminded of my rancher friend who commented, “sheep have no other defense mechanism, but to roll over and die.” Perhaps David the shepherd was identifying with that condition.
But twice in Psalm 42 we find a two-fold antidote to the “blues.” Hope in the Lord and keep praising the Lord. Hope focuses our attention on the future. Hope is what allows us to say, “my tomorrow will be different than today.” Hope tells us, “what is, is not what will always be.”
I like the admonition of “keep praising the Lord.” When we are in a tough valley in life, it is easy to stop doing what comes easier when life is different. We need to remember that when we praise the Lord we take our attention away from ourselves and our situation to the greatness and faithfulness of the Lord. We are reminded that He is our “savior and our Lord.” He not only rescues us from our sins, He delivers us from the situations that confront us. We are also reminded that He is “the One who provides.” He is all-sufficient, ever-faithful, the One who meets all of our needs.
Perhaps you need that reminder today. I think that I do. “You can cope, when in God you place your hope.” Right now Riley is patiently “coping” as I finish this blog before we head off for dinner.