CAC LIVING WATER DEVOTIONAL FOR AUGUST 10, 2022 : TOPIC – TALK TO YOURSELF

[1]. (To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

[2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

[3] My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

[4] When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

[6] O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

[7] Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

[8] Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

[9] I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

[10] As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

[11] Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

MEMORISE:

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance (Psalms 42:5).

EXPOSITION

He who talks to everyone but not to himself, is a fool. David had been wandering around, unable to come to the place of worship in Jerusalem that he was yearning for days and nights as a deer pants for the water brooks… (Psa. 42:1). His soul convinced him of the hopelessness and helplessness of the situation he was. Realising his need for hope to cope, he turned to himself and asked inquisitively: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Then, he assured himself to hope in God. What is hope? An expectation or belief in the fulfilment of something desired; a feeling that something desirable is likely to happen; a feeling of trust.

O child of God, the present hurts and uncertainty over what the future holds for you may be creating a constant need of hope for you. Hence, encourage yourself, like David did. He chose to put his trust in God who never disappoints. Also, don’t forget that what you say to yourself is as important as talking to yourself. What you confess upon your life goes a long way to affect you.

Your relationship in and with God determines what your attitude will be in time of despair. Whose name do you chant when the vehicle you board appears to want to involve in an accident? It is surprising that some shout the heads of their mother’ while some others shout the names of their local and national deities, even when they claim to be Christians. Though Jabez was named the son of sorrow, he took the bull by the horn and prayed to change his situation. Stop unduly surrendering to fate. There is way out for you in Christ. Hope is rising for you today, in Jesus’ name (Psa. 42:11).

PRAYER POINTS

1. Pray that the God of hope will bring hope to your apparently hopeless situation.

2. Declare with all faith in you that as the Lord lives and as His Spirit lives, you will share testimonies in the end.

3. Father Lord, please restore hope to Your church facing persecutions all over the world

HYMN FOR TODAY:

CAC GHB 812

1. There is victory within my soul

For the spirit with me abides,

Let the waves of temptation roll,

Jesus keeps me whate’er betides.

Chorus:

Victory, Victory, ‘vict’ry in my soul;

I have glorious victory since Jesus took control,

Victory, victory, sweeping like a flood,

I have glorious victory through Jesus’ blood.

2. Though the conflict be fierc and long,

Though the conflict my heart assail

In my weakness yet I am strong,

For with Jesus I’ll e’erprevail.

3. I have victory over sin,

I have victory o’er the grave;

Even death now has lost its sting,

Hallelujah! I know I’m saved.

Amen.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Jeremiah 7 – 9

AUTHOR

C. A. C. Worldwide

Remain blessed