A Devotion for those who feel beat down.

A Devotion for those who feel beat down –

Prepared by Pastor Calvin Cook – January 14, 2024

There is a new day before us. In this new day I realize that we are carrying many of the burdens of the days, weeks, and years that have passed. We are called to let go of these burdens, yet they are still weighing us down.

We also carry many situations that have brought heart break, grief, and insurmountable anguish. We have tried to find resolve in many different ways. Whether it has been in a trusted friend, counseling, our own spiritual practices of prayer or meditation, yet nothing seems to bring comfort to our weary soul.

There are times that we find temporary comfort, but yet the burdens and anguish continue to return and defeat us. In these moments we need to cling to the Lord.

In Psalms 36 the plans of the wicked are highlighted, but more importantly the hope that we find by trusting and living within the love of God comforts us;

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” Psalm 36:7-10

This morning, if you feel as if you are falling into the category of the one who is alone and afraid, beat down, struggling, trying to make sense of everything. God is calling you, for you to come and rest and find comfort in the shelter of the Lord. What the world and evil many times disguised very cleverly as good will only bring further harm and hurt you and tear you down. In God we eat and drink that which will strengthen us and not harm us.

There is a line from a song that sums up my thoughts this morning – “I need you, Oh I need you, every hour, I need you, my one defense my righteousness, O God how I need you.”. You need God, the fullness of God this is the only one who will not beat you down and replace your sorrow with joy.