Biola Broadcaster - 1972-07

delights to give us His song even in the nighttime. Yes, while in the midst of sorrow there is a divine melody. In the midst of fear there is faith. For all your doubts He provides delight! The reproach of the Psalmist's enemies was like a piercing sword in his bones (vs. 10). To the He­ brews the bones were the seat of pain. They were the framework of the body; the chassis of the soul. Discouragement had stabbed the writer to the heart. Notice how he calls God "the health of his coun­ tenance (vs. 11). The word "health" may be translated "salvation." So the Lord saves or lifts up the face. In the Berkeley Version we read, "God is my Face-healer." That is, God gives us joy. When someone is downcast we say, "Keep your chin up!" This is exactly what the Saviour wants to do for us. Do you need a "face-lift"? Say with the Psalmist, "I will remember Thee"! Look up to Him! First of all, contemplate the at­ tributes of God. The more you get to know Him, the more you will trust Him. A. W. Tozer, in his ex­ cellent book, The Knowledge of the Holy, encourages us to con­ sider these important truths. He wrote, "The study of the attributes of God, far from being dull and heavy, may for the enlightened Christian be a sweet and absorb­ ing spiritual exercise. To the soul that is athirst for God, nothing could be more meaningful.'" Only to sit and think of God, Oh what a joy it is!

stances or people you will always be discouraged, but if you look to the Lord you will be encouraged! Discouragement is always a prob­ lem we face, no matter where we live, our social involvements, or our financial status. Psalm 42 holds some wonderfully practical solu­ tions to the difficulties. Apparently the writer was away from Zion when he was inspired to write these words (vs. 6). Perhaps he was on Mt. Hermon looking down to­ ward the land of Canaan. This range extends 16 to 20 miles north beyond the city of Dan. The high­ est peak is 9,200 feet high. (Mizar is one of the smaller mountains.) It was the vantage point from which he could look toward his home­ land. He describes how he feels about the pressure of life (vs. 7) as he tells about the waves and bil­ lows of life that seem on occasion so overwhelming. Perhaps it was the roaring of the wild waters from the melting snow of the mountain which reminded him of the tumult within his own soul. Several years ago, my family and I visited Niagara Falls. If you have ever heard the noise and felt the cool spray of the water you will have a picture of what is being conveyed. Have you ever experi­ enced such emotional, financial or spiritual pressures? Do you ever feel overwhelmed with problems? You are not alone in your outlook. The answer is again underlined— turn to the Lord (vs. 8). The word for "lovingkindness" is a very in­ teresting word in the Hebrew. It means more than mercy. Instead it suggests devotion born out of love. It could picture a mother's concern for her children. It means stead­ fastness and faithfulness. The Lord

To think the thoughts, To breathe the Name, Earth has no higher bliss.

Consider the omnipresence of God. He has promised, "I will nev-

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