Then Sings My Soul - Cries Of The Heart From The PsalmsНамуна

Psalm 42:5 

Why are you in despair, O my soul, and disturbed within me? Hope in God, because I will again praise Him, for the salvation of His presence.

I don’t know what I’m going to do if I can’t connect with You, God. I need You like my lungs need air. How long is it going to be before I experience Your presence? I’ve been crying virtually nonstop, and everyone around me is questioning whether You’re really with me. I think about all the good times in the past. How I would lead everybody else with encouragement, pointing to all the reasons we had to be thankful. So why am I having such a hard time now? My mind tells me the truth, that I’ll praise You again for Your presence with me. But my feelings are doing serious battle against those thoughts. I remember times in my life when I’ve felt Your presence so tangibly. Now, as I open the vulnerable, raw depths of my soul to You, I experience Your loving presence with me. Right where I’m at, and in this moment. Even if my feelings don’t go away and everybody keeps criticizing me, I’m holding onto this truth…that I know I will have a good reason to praise You again. 

Application: What feelings are you experiencing that might be doing battle with what you “know” is true?

God is so much greater than our most embarrassing emotions! We might cringe to open ourselves up to Him with complete honesty and tell Him exactly how we are feeling. And yet, He can handle it! In fact, He welcomes it! He can’t wait for the opportunity to meet us right where we’re at and minister His loving, healing presence in that very place. What might you be hiding from Him that He is encouraging you to show Him?

Kids tip: Play a game of hide and seek as a family. Afterwards, read the story of Adam and Eve hiding from God in the garden. Point out how, even when they felt ashamed of their sin, God went looking for them and lovingly provided just what they needed by giving them coverings for their bodies. Ask them what kinds of feelings, thoughts or behaviors they might be afraid for God to discover in them.

Song suggestion: Satisfied in You – The Sing Team