Joy in Psalm 34

If I’m not careful, I can get discouraged very easily. Life’s little tasks start to seem overwhelming, my duties as a wife and mother start to weigh me down, and discouragement starts to settle in and make a home. Do you ever have days like this? Do you ever struggle with finding the joy of God’s presence in your daily life?

In Psalm 77, David faced discouragement with a viable weapon. He says, “I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your works, and talk of Your deeds.” (Ps. 77:11-12 NKJV)

When we begin to feel that spirit of discouragement way heavily on us, that is when we need to reflect on the mighty deeds of the LORD and remember who we are to Him. Psalm 100 says we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! We cannot dwell in discouragement while his praise is “continually” in our mouths! (Ps 34:1)

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers the out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”
(selected verses, Psalm 34 NKJV)

Remember what He has done! We need to make the entirety of Psalm 34 our testimony! We should talk about His mighty deeds of old and the more recent ones on our own behalf! We should meditate on His mercy, faithfulness, and holiness! We need to praise Him for who He is and for what He has done. The discouragement will melt away in the power of His Word. Our strength will return and our vision will be cleared; our perspective restored.

Oh Father, give us your strength and wisdom to withstand the weight that discouragement often brings. With lifted hands and outstretched arms we cry out for you to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. Help us to praise you in the midst of our struggles and find our JOY in you.

Do you have a “go to” Scripture that you meditate on when discouragement gets the best of you?

Linking up today with Thought Provoking Thursday, Heart for Home, Proverbs 31 

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