Worthy Words (April 12)

How do we endure seemingly endless difficult circumstances that are beyond our control— seasons like grief, illness, financial strain, relational turbulence, intense ministry, or long-term caregiving? 

Psalm 42:5 is commonly quoted to encourage Christians in situations like these: ”Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (NASB). One application of this verse is to “preach to ourselves,” to direct our focus on God instead of our feelings. This is a helpful response in our trials, but we may still miss the life-giving, hope-inducing truth we need to endure in faithfulness.

When we read Psalm 42:5 in the context of the whole chapter, we see that the psalmist’s expectation is not necessarily a change in circumstances; rather, he counts on the promise of God’s presence in the circumstances. 

We also see this theme in Psalm 23. David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me…” (Psalm 23:4 NASB, emphasis mine). He expects to go through the valley—not to experience immediate deliverance. But he knows that even as he endures the valley, God—our good Shepherd—is with him every step of the way. 
Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” It’s mind-boggling but true. No matter our circumstances, we can experience complete peace and joy because of Immanuel—the almighty God who is ever-present and faithful. Our good Shepherd cares for us, diligently protecting, gently guiding, and abundantly providing what we need (Psalm 23; Philippians 4:19; 2 Peter 1:3). His presence empowers our endurance in all circumstances.

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This Week’s Worthy Words

4 TRUTHS THAT HELP PERFECTIONISTS FIND PEACE WHEN MAKING DECISIONS | CHERYL ESPER BALCOM

Have you ever experienced “analysis paralysis”—overthinking a decision or fearing you’ll make the wrong choice? This post is for you!

GRACE ENOUGH: WHAT DOES “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU” MEAN? | ABIGAIL WALLACE

“Sufficient sounds meager, like barely enough and just scraping by. I prefer words like abundant, lavish and great—at least to describe grace (1 Timothy 1:14, Ephesians 1:8, Acts 4:33). I don’t want sufficient. I want better. I want more than enough. I want the best. But sufficient is a grace word.”

GRACE FROM THE GOD WHO GUARDS YOUR LIFE | LAUREN WHITMAN

“When there are areas in our life where we know we have not chosen well, often our internal objections to receiving help ramp up. We are so aware of why we don’t deserve help. We feel ashamed for how we have drifted. We are embarrassed for how we have gone outside the bounds. How could we expect a rescue? Aware of our unworthiness, it would seem almost too good to be true that we’d be rescued.”

YOU’LL NEVER BE CONTENT UNTIL… | CHRISTA THRELFALL

“It is one of the most believable lies to think, ‘If only _______, then I would be happy.’ But it’s not true. If you can’t rejoice in your lot today, you won’t be able to rejoice in it tomorrow. Contentment doesn’t depend on what’s in my hand, but the state of my heart.”

WILL THE REAL MOSES PLEASE STAND UP? | GLENNA MARSHALL

“Sometimes, I am ashamed at the smallness of my faith. Sometimes I look at the way I respond to the Lord’s call to obedience in the Christian life and I am ashamed at how faltering, how weak, how flimsy my devotedness to Jesus. And yet—faith exists. In my heart. A gift of the Spirit. It might be smaller than a mustard seed, but Jesus said that’s all it takes (Matt. 17:20-21). For the size of one’s faith doesn’t seem to be the issue so much as the object of one’s faith.”

WHAT WE MISS WHEN WE SKIP THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS | RYAN HIGGINBOTTOM

“The book of Leviticus is not popular. It is rarely quoted, rarely studied, and rarely read. It might be the most frequent place for well-intentioned Bible readers to give up their annual reading plans… But, Leviticus is in the Bible for our good, and when we skip this book we miss a lot that God intends for us.”