Have you ever heard the term, “I’m in a fix?” Growing up in Alabama it was a common description used when nothing was going right, and you didn’t know what to do! I feel like that today. I think most of America feels like that also.
With great expectation, 331 million Americans anticipated a presidential election on November 3 and a late night announcement of a leader for the next 4 years. It didn’t happen – it still hasn’t happened 4 days later. It may not happen for many weeks. America is “in a fix”.
It is difficult to walk in peace when there is so much anger, distrust, accusation, and uncertainty. We are in the same position as King David in the book of Psalms. We are “cast down”.
Psalm 42:5-11 NKJV, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar. Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
The question of being “cast down” is repeated in Psalm 43:5 and it is not until Psalms 46 that David receives the victory over his cast down mentality. Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
David was a shepherd before he became King. The term “cast down” is a specific term used in the sheep industry to describe when a sheep is in danger of loosing his life. For various reasons when a sheep gets off balance they fall on their back and cannot get up. It means they flail their legs in the air, bleat, and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, and the sheep will eventually suffocate. This is referred to as a “cast down” position. Unless the shepherd helps the sheep to an upright stance it will die.
Jesus declares in John 10:11 NKJV, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” There is no better shepherd in the world than Jesus Christ. He gave his life for us before we ever knew we would be “cast down” today. He’s ready for you to look at his countenance and rise up from fear, depression, and the sickness of uncertainty.
Psalm 23 states beautifully the purpose of the good shepherd. Psalm 23:1-6, NKJV “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. The Good Shepherd is looking for you today to flip you over into life, peace, and freedom from fear.