03
Dysfunctional Soul
Rod ShimabukuroOn the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. Psalm 138:1-3
Psalm 138 is a beautiful song. Beautiful songs, so many times are written out of pain, trouble, persecution. It’s when the people of God are pressed with hardships, pruned through pain that they are processed to live for God’s glory. The truths of this song speak of the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. And it is only through God’s character, adorned upon our minds, souls and lives... that we are proven to give Him praise and honor.
When we can believe and sing the lyrics in V1...“I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;” - that we will also respond towards V2...“I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”
Then V3 above will take place. My application is a cry for a strengthening of my soul. I feel strong - but get weak. I put on Christ, am strong in the power of His might, filled with the hope of His glory - yet I find myself, like an air mattress whose plug is dysfunctional, being depleted of strength within moments. The moments of “irritants” I allow to affect my soul, quickly deplete me of having a joyful, grateful soul.
In rereading the first 3 verses, I’m more convinced that the latter part of V2 is the key to my spiritual longevity! It is God who exalts His name and Word above all things. And this includes “my stingy, selfish - look at me/woe is me” attitudes.
Lord - “I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.”
