Dwell & Delight in the Word Sýnishorn

TAKING OUR STUDY DEEPER:

“David was not asserting that God always provides (in this lifetime, at least) for believer’s physical needs, but rather that He will always supply what is necessary for the believer’ spiritual well-being. That God will not necessarily deliver His sheep from all affliction and distress is underscored by the affirmation that I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (cf. 107:14). The psalm, as the suffering Messiah stated that He had been placed in “the dust of death” (22:15). In those difficult circumstances of life, those under His care should not fear any evil because You are with me (cf. 27:1, 118:6).”

A NOTE OF ENCOURAGMENT

From Becky Harling

The other day I was in line, waiting and scrolling on my phone through Instagram. All of a sudden, my stomach grew a bit anxious as I realized other friends of mine were doing an awesome job keeping up with creating posts while I was obviously lagging behind. That’s when it hit me. What was I doing? Comparing myself to others! Never. A. Good. Idea.

Ever been there? Maybe for you it’s not keeping up with the expectations of other professionals. Maybe it’s comparing yourself to the young mom on Instagram who just gave birth and is back in her size 2 skinny jeans in six weeks. Later, as a result, you feel frustrated and inadequate. Or maybe it’s seeing on Facebook the roses your friend’s husband gave her for Valentine’s Day, when yours needed the reminder that it was even a holiday. So you end up feeling hurt and a bit angry with your husband.

Comparison stirs up envy, leaves us feeling anxious, and robs us of the contentment that God wants us to experience. Yet it’s so very human. All of us have longings, and when those desires aren’t met and we see another person thriving, the temptation is to compare. David understood the temptation to compare and wrote several beautiful psalms teaching us that the key to contentment is learning to praise God.

Here’s what you need to know: the Shepherd, God Himself, wants you to experience joy and gladness. One of the greatest ways to access that is to spend time praising Him. As you praise Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit unleashes joy in your soul that is unlike other fleeting waves of joy. If you don’t believe me, try it. Consistently praise God for seven days and see if you don’t experience more joy and contentment.

LET’S PRACTICE PRAISE

Lord Jesus, my Shepherd, I praise You because in You I have all that I need.
I praise You that when I am not content, You offer grace.
When I am fearful or sorrowful, You offer comfort.
When I am inadequate, You offer empowerment.
I praise You that You are faithful and that You will perfect all that concerns me.

BASED ON PSALM 23:1, 4; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:24; PSALM 138:8