Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:11 NIV
It's likely at some point, you've encountered a sign announcing, "Temporarily Out of Order." Upon reading, you were likely disappointed and frustrated because you had hoped to find it in perfect working order. Sometimes, we may feel like hanging a similar sign around our necks because we feel unsettled and somehow broken. We may not even know why, but the feeling is there.
There's nothing wrong with those feelings, we're human, and the blues sometimes happen. As believers, though, we have hope. We can praise him because we know him personally as a God of deliverance.
This scripture reminds me of the old gospel song written by Civilla D. Martin, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." Here's the first verse and refrain:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Despite feeling temporarily out of order, we can sing and smile because our God watches over us as our Friend, Protector, and Savior.
Friend Jesus, we thank you for your constant love and protection. As you care for the little sparrow, you care for us much more. And when we feel down in the dumps, we can remain confident in your care. We give you our grateful praise for your love. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
