In the movie Cast Away, Tom Hanks plays Chuck Roland who works internationally for FedEx as a time and efficiency expert. Chuck returns home to Memphis for Christmas intending to propose to his girlfriend, Kelly. Work calls Chuck away suddenly, but he promises to be back for New Year's Eve. On the return flight home, Chuck’s plane crashes and he is marooned on a tropical island.
We ride along with Chuck on his journey of despair as he copes with finding food and water, making a shelter, trying to light a fire, and dealing with the anguish of being utterly alone. Chuck is actually sustained through the despair of isolation by a picture of Kelly. As Chuck longingly stares at the picture every night, you can almost see the memories of all the great times they had together rushing through his mind.
Much like the memories sustaining Chuck, the psalmist of Psalm 42 finds sustaining hope through remembering his past worship in God’s presence.
We ride along with Chuck on his journey of despair as he copes with finding food and water, making a shelter, trying to light a fire, and dealing with the anguish of being utterly alone. Chuck is actually sustained through the despair of isolation by a picture of Kelly. As Chuck longingly stares at the picture every night, you can almost see the memories of all the great times they had together rushing through his mind.
Much like the memories sustaining Chuck, the psalmist of Psalm 42 finds sustaining hope through remembering his past worship in God’s presence.
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
~Psalm 42:4-5
~Psalm 42:4-5
In his desperate state, the psalmist starts to look back on the good ol’ days; the days he spent worshipping God in the temple. As the memories flood his mind, he aches as he remembers leading the worship celebration to God’s temple. In fact, this is no ordinary worshipper. This is perhaps a Levite; a lead worshipper and servant in the temple of God. This is someone whose very life exists to worship God and lead others into God’s presence.
The psalmist is taken in by the remembrance of joyful shouting and thanksgiving of the crowd on the way to the temple. The memories overtake him, and for a moment he stops and questions why he is so discouraged. He tells his soul not to be depressed, but to be hopeful in God, who is also his Savior. He knows he will be saved and will once again be back in God’s presence worshipping.
In times of discouragement you must remind yourself to focus on the hope that you have through Jesus, your God and Savior. Remember what he has already brought you through and be encouraged. Those memories will remind you that God is faithful and will encourage you as you meditate on God’s faithfulness during your time of despair.
The psalmist is taken in by the remembrance of joyful shouting and thanksgiving of the crowd on the way to the temple. The memories overtake him, and for a moment he stops and questions why he is so discouraged. He tells his soul not to be depressed, but to be hopeful in God, who is also his Savior. He knows he will be saved and will once again be back in God’s presence worshipping.
In times of discouragement you must remind yourself to focus on the hope that you have through Jesus, your God and Savior. Remember what he has already brought you through and be encouraged. Those memories will remind you that God is faithful and will encourage you as you meditate on God’s faithfulness during your time of despair.
Remembrance is the secret of redemption.
Forgetfulness leads to exile.
~Baal Shem Tov, Hebrew Sage
~Baal Shem Tov, Hebrew Sage
Be Blessed,
Stephanie
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