Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. Psalm 42:11 MSG

Listening to all of my Pastors' sermons lately, I wanted to share the following thoughts about waiting on answers to prayer, patience with God, and being delivered from the dump; about praising the Lord during those times it’s the hardest to praise Him. We have to make a decision to worship our Father God no matter what our circumstances look like. It is a quality decision we make; not feelings we go by.

Psalm 42:11 “But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!”

The soul is our mind, will, and emotions. We need to get them to line up with what the Word of God says about our situation. EXPECT God to act on our behalf and know that we have plenty of reason to praise Him. Think of what He has done for us already, and what He will manifest on our behalf in the future. We believe from the standpoint of the cross and the finished work of Jesus Christ. We aren’t trying to grasp something that’s unattainable. This is in God’s Will if it’s in God’s Word. It was completed for us over two thousand years ago. Find out what the Word of God says about your circumstances, and stand on the Word.

I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. (Psalm 138:2, NLT).

Pause and think of what that verse is saying. His promises are backed by all the honor of His Name. When the Lord our God promises to do something they are backed up by His Name. If the Holy Spirit quickens a promise in the Word of God to you, it will come to pass. Let’s learn to praise and worship Him while we wait.

• When we are discouraged, praise and worship reminds us that there is hope, peace, and rest in God.
• When we are afraid, praise and worship reminds us that no matter what happens God is there for us.
• When we are lost, praise and worship reminds us that God provided the way, the truth, and the light.
• When we are confused, praise and worship reminds us that Heaven is not in a panic over what’s happening.
• When we are sick, praise and worship reminds us that Jesus paid it all that we may walk in health.

Love the Message version of Psalm 42:11 it says: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”

Pastor Jacob taught we have been redeemed from the “garbage dumps”! We get into the Word (Jesus is the Living Word), it comes alive in our spirit man, and produces the Kingdom of God in our lives. We have the nine fruit of the Spirit in our spirit man when we are born again. (As he said it is a mystery.) We have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. May these all be yours in abundance during your season of waiting on God