Hope in Troubled Times

Love for One Another Struggles with Love Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    God's Revealed Plan Psalm 43 New International Version Psalm 43 1 Vindicate me, my God,     and plead my cause     against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are     deceitful and wicked. 2 You are God, my stronghold.     Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning,     oppressed by the enemy? 3 Send me your light and your faithful care,     let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain,     to the place where you dwell. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God,     to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre,     O God, my God. 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?     Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,     for I will yet praise him,     my Savior and my God.   For Reflection How often have you talked to your soul? The Psalmist is talking about those times when the struggle of living is almost overpowering. He speaks of a nation that is unfaithful, deceitful, and wicked. He fears that God has rejected him. He mourns the loss and prays for God to comfort him and remove the heavy yoke of troubling times. But the writer's faith in the promise that God works to make all things right shines through the darkness in his soul. He confesses his devotion and praises God. He chastises his soul for doubting and places his hope in the goodness of God. Pray Pray, express your anxieties to God. Remember the promise of salvation and speak to your troubled soul about hope and praise. Forward to a friend