A Lent devotional on Psalm 71:21 about deepening trust in God during hardship. The speaker shares how they survived a season of spiritual crisis by clinging to Scripture and Tasha Cobbs Leonard's song "Smile" when they couldn't laugh. When pain overwhelms, turn entirely toward God as your refuge and source of comfort.
Blessings everyone and welcome to day 30 of this Lent devotional. And today for day 30, we have Multiply Your Reliance on God. And the word for day 30 is coming from Psalm 71:21. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. Psalm 71 begins with the words In you, Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be put to shame. The author then goes on to share moments of confidence in God, pain from past experiences, a moment asking for deliverance, and yet another moment asking for restoration in old age. I actually found this chapter years ago when I was going through a tough time. You know, the one of those times when you lean so far into God that everything that comes out of your mouth is scripture. Oh yes, I will walk the house reading the Bible and reciting scripture. I listened to worship songs even when I was asleep. I needed God so badly I couldn't fathom a time when all would be well. I didn't think there would be a time when I would smile again, much more laugh. The irony is that during that time, one of my favorite songs was Smile by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Much like the author, I begged God not to be far away from me, and that's in verse 12. Have you ever been there? Yes. Smile, that dark place where only God can help. I have, and I can tell you that it was the closest I have ever been to God. Yes. I needed him to get me through the moment. The moments are shorter than days. In moments when pain, both physical and emotional, is overwhelming, we must turn to the one friend that can be our refuge, protection, fortress, and safety. Friends, in your deepest moments of despair, I strongly encourage you to do what the author did: turn your attention to the one who made you. Yes, that was so on my mind this morning. Focus, training your focus on the one who made you. He promises to increase your greatness and comfort you. So focusing on God is just As we go into prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the cross of Calvary. Thank you for your shed blood that has set us free so that we can be new. Thank you for being gracious, merciful, and faithful to us. We pray that you forgive us our sins, both known and unknown. As we go throughout this week, please be our peace, joy, and strength. We pray that you will continuously remind us that you are our safe place and strength, and that when we feel alone and in trouble, we can run to you and find rest. At this moment, we pray that you revive and restore us for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen. It really has been on my mind as far as the focus of attention. It's focusing our attention on God, like It's kind of like you could just see God. He's never too far, like he's there, but it takes you to actually focus. And then we don't have to always go through different times when it's hard, but when it does get hard, we can always look to God, and he is our strength, he is our refuge. And when you can't smile, he can always— his word It's so true, it's so loving, it can always help you to smile again. So thank you for joining this day 30 of our Lent devotional, Multiply Your Reliance on God. And remember today, smile.
