Together in Christ: 'Reconnecting with God Who Gives Us Life' — Psalm 42:7-8

Friday, March 29, 2024

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We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

— Psalm 42:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

No matter how many good friends we have, we will face times when they are not around us, cannot cheer us, or cannot accompany us. We all will face death. While friends and family can comfort and encourage us as we die, they cannot accompany us through death. [1] We face death and judgment alone [2] unless we have built a solid relationship with the Lord, Who will never abandon us. [3] Each of us will likely also face moments when we feel very alone and find it hard to endure what feels like wave after wave of the pounding seas battering us with disappointment and discouragement — as the psalmists emphasize having endured their family disappointments and despair. [4]

In such times of desperation and emotional weariness, we need to find ways to break through the surging storm surrounding us and reconnect with the God who is our Abba Father, [5] our loving Shepherd, [6] YHWH, [7] El-Shaddai, [8] and Lord Sabbaoth. [9] More than names for God, these attributes of God remind us of His awesome power and constant nearness to His children He loves.

In such times of trouble, we may not have words to say or even faithful thoughts to think. However, we have songs we can sing that re-awaken our hearts to faith, [10] and we have the Holy Spirit to intercede for us when words are inadequate and we cannot verbalize the emotions within us. [11] As we reach out to reconnect with God, He rushes to meet us and pour His "unfailing love" upon us [12] and give us life! Let's use this knowledge to deepen our faith and strengthen our bond with our heavenly Father.

[1] This is why Psalm 23:4 NKJV speaks so powerfully to God's faithful in the face of death. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
[2] Hebrews 9:27.
[3] Psalm 16:10; Romans 8:32-39.
[4] The "Sons of Korah" wrote the psalm that gives us today's verses. Their father sinned notoriously and rebelled as Levites against Moses. Korah's rebellion led to 14,700 people dying — Numbers 16:1-19; Jude 1:11.
[5] Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:1-7.
[6] Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:1-16.
[7] Exodus 3:14-15. The Hebrew word "YHWH" is translated "I Am" in these verses.
[8] An ancient name for God meaning "God Almighty" and "God of the Mountains" — Genesis 17:1, 35:11; Exodus 6:3.
[9] Translated as "Lord of Heaven's Armies" and "Lord God of hosts" — 1 Samuel 1:3, 11, 4:4, 15:2; Psalm 24:10; 2 Samuel 5:10 NKJV.
[10] Job 35:10; Psalm 42:8, 77:6. There are also other helpful ways for re-awakening our faith. To name just a few: Meditate on God's creation (Psalm 19:1-6), ask, as the apostles did (Luke 17:5), read Scripture, especially about Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), and fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25).
[11] Romans 8:26-27, 5:5.
[12] Psalm 42:8.

Today's Prayer

Abba Father, help me sense Your nearness as You pour Your love into me with Your abiding presence in me through the Holy Spirit. I need Your strength to infuse my life with Your life as I pursue Your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful justice in my own life. I ask this through the intercession of the Spirit and by the authority of Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Psalm 46:1-11
  • Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:1-16

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Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 42:7-8 NLT — I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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