Psalm 42:5

Psalm 42:5
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.
Psalm 42:5 NASB

Jobs are dwindling. Money is tight. Crime seems to be on the rise. Natural disasters seem to be increasing in both destructiveness and sheer number of events. People are angry and hurting. Life, if taken in through the television, print or electronic news, can be downright overwhelming and discouraging. It's easy to feel the weight of the world on our shoulders when we see so much need and hurt all around us.

However, if we could put a filter over the TV screen, the newspaper page or the computer monitor that would allow us to see things through God's newscast we would see that He never fails. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He never gives up on us and will never leave us in the middle of a situation where He is not quick to save us if we would just cry out for His help. He loves us so much, and the heartache of this world is only amplified in His heartache knowing the full breadth of what He offers...and yet is continually rejected.

He is our hope. He is our fortress and our strong Deliverer. He offers us peace in ways that we will never understand or even begin to imagine, but He does.

Are you living as if He's really fighting for you? Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death fearing no evil for the Lord, Your God, is with you? Are you offering help and hope to those around you in how you care for them, respond to them, or provide for their needs? Put the filter over the newscast of your life and ask God to open your eyes to the HOPE of His PRESENCE (presents).