Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Psalm 42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 42

To the leader. A Maskil of the Korahites.

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?

My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me continually,
“Where is your God?”

These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng,[a] and led them in procession to the house of God,
with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,
a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep
at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
have gone over me.

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God, my rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I walk about mournfully
because the enemy oppresses me?”

As with a deadly wound in my body,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me continually,
“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.

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Reflect

Two songs I have been listening to almost every day for the past two months are God, You’re So Good by Passion and Good and Gracious King by CityAlight. Both songs speak of the wonderful goodness of our God. As I read the scripture today, I was reminded of those songs. In our distress and trouble, God is there. He is our rock and our refuge. His love is steadfast and his song is peaceful. While there are times in life it may feel like he has abandoned us, he is there. Some of the lyrics from the two songs are:

(From Good and Gracious King)
I approach the throne of glory
Nothing in my hands I bring
But the promise of acceptance
From a good and gracious king

I will give You my burden
As You give to me Your strength
Come and fill me with Your Spirit
As I sing to You this praise…

(From God, You’re So Good)
Verse 3
And should this life
Bring suffering
Lord, I will remember
What Calvary has bought for me
Both now and forever

Chorus
God, You’re so good
God, You’re so good
God, You’re so good
You’re so good to me…

Bridge
I am blessed, I am called
I am healed, I am whole
I am saved in Jesus’ name

Highly favored, anointed
Filled with Your power
For the glory of Jesus’ name

Here are the Youtube Links to the songs listed above:

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Pray

God, you truly are so very good. You can be nothing else. Thank you for your promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you for the promise of eternal life when we accept you as Savior. Thank you for sending a Savior. You have blessed and called us to yourself; and you have healed us and made us whole. You are our Rock and our Refuge in times of trouble and distress. Only a good God could do what only you have done. All glory and praise to you!

Go with God!