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Day 7

Psalm 42:6a "O my God, my soul is cast down within me..."

Day 7 – Psalm 42

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” Psalm 42:6a

ENGAGE IN PRAYER

It is vital that we battle feelings of discouragement with every means available. We must make use of our memory. We must draw strength from hope. One other powerful means of grace is prayer.

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar.”
Psalm 42:6

1. Prayer is such a privilege

a) It was meant to be employed.
b) God wants us to learn many important lessons through engaging in prayer.

2. Lessons we may learn in prayer

a) Prayer must be deeply and intensely personal.
i) This may be seen in the phrase, “O my God”.
ii) This is certainly not a profane swear-phrase!
b) Pour out your heart (soul) to God in prayer.
i) Be open
ii) Be candid
iii) Tell God honestly how you feel… even if it is to say that your soul feels cast down
c) Make every effort to remember the Lord.
i) The psalmist must have traveled a fair bit (reference to Jordan, Hermon, Mizar).
ii) These were special places which he associated with God.

The recall of happy experiences with God can bring great encouragement to the soul! The battle against despondency must see us use every means available to us! Battle depression mightily!