Psalm 9:9-10 (ESV)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Explanation: Debbie Downer. That’s what we call someone who consistently sees the negative side of things. She looks at every situation, seeing only darkness, and has no hope for the current suffering she may be enduring or seeing around her. She does not know the promise of a Lord who is our refuge and stronghold in times of trouble.
Debbie doesn’t know that when she puts her trust and faith in God, He will never turn a blind eye or a deaf ear on us. She doesn’t know what it means to “lean in.” When you physically lean on something like a wall, you place your whole weight on it. You trust that it will support you and not let you fall. That’s what it means to “lean in” on God. Allow Him to support your decisions, your situations, and your path. Allow Him to guide your decisions and re-direct your desires to things of heaven and eternity.
When we place our faith in God, He will lead us in our decisions when we seek Him. Trusting Him doesn’t mean that we won’t experience dark days or tough, even heartbreaking, situations. What it means is that He will never fail us. It means we don’t have to be a Debbie Downer when things get tough. The strength of the wall we are leaning on will uphold us through it all. We are never forsaken by the God we serve, regardless of the situation.
Application:
Do you know a Debbie Downer? Maybe you have even been one from time to time. How can you change Debbie’s perspective about a situation?
What does it mean to “lean in” on God in your situation?
Are you going through a tough time that you’ve not completely surrendered to God’s control? In today’s prayer, we are going to ask God to take that situation, in faith, and allow Him to guide our path.
Devo Plus:
There are several other Scriptures that talk about God’s faithfulness to us and how He never forsakes us. Let’s take a look at some of them today: Psalm 91:14; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 37:28; Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 55:6-7.
Prayer:
God, sometimes we fail to see that You are in all situations, and Your way is better than our own. Today, in faith, I give You my current decisions and this situation that I’m in, and ask You to guide me. I believe that by trusting in You to help me see the right direction, You will honor Your word and never forsake me. Your word is full of promises, and I ask You to help me to grow in my faith. When I try to take this situation back into my own hands, I ask that Your Holy Spirit remind me that You are in control, and this battle belongs to You. Amen.