August 1, 2021

Psalm 42:5

Between politics, religion, and vaccinations, division is running rampant within our country. No wonder so many are feeling discouraged and hopeless. Friends are turning against friends. Family members aren’t speaking to each other. And violence against those with disagreeing opinions is on the rise. The psalmist in Psalm 42 knew that feeling well. He longed to go worship at God’s temple. But as Jerusalem was divided, those who lived in the northern area were banned from traveling south where the temple was located. Yet he refused to despair. For no matter the schemes of the Enemy to divide, hurt, and bring God’s people to ruin, when we put our hope in God alone, praising Him in all things, we have no room for discouragement. For hope brings with it joy, peace, and love. And as Samuel Smiles says, “Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.”