Like a deer drinking from a stream, I reach out to you, my God. My soul thirsts for the living God.
Psalm 42:1
We often think about our heart and body but I wonder how often we think about our soul.
In the New Testament, the Apostle John writes to a dear friend named Gaius and says some strange words “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” not the sort of greeting we would consider is it?
David was also concerned about his soul in Psalms 42 & 43.
What was his answer? Reconnection.
David’s circumstances had disconnected himself with God, his very being the centre, the soul. It, therefore, affected the will, emotion etc.
Horatio Spafford invested most of what he had in real estate. He lived in Chicago and lost everything in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It destroyed his home. They had no insurance. He lost most of his money.
In 1873 he put his wife and their four daughters (their son had died of scarlet fever in 1870) on a ship heading to England as he stayed behind to re-stimulate his business.
A few days after the ship departed, he received a telegram from his wife: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” There had been a shipwreck. All four of their daughters perished.
Horatio quickly boarded another ship to England, and as it passed over the very same place in the ocean where his daughters had drowned, he wrote these words as the song: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
So how is David going to re-connect? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him.
Reconnection is possible. David reconnected his mind, will and body into a unit, regained his throne, bought the materials for the greatest temple to be built. He did what this verse says “Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God”. David is saying I am reconnecting with God on my journey (prosperity)
So how is your soul connection?
Finally, let us return to the beginning where John had asked the question to his friend Gauis. John also tells us of another guy Diotrephes whose soul is definitely disconnected. How do I know that? Connection or disconnection is apparent by behaviour.
John gives us evidence of the condition of these two men. He does it by showing the way the two men are behaving.
Take time to read 3 John verses 5-8
The evidence of Gaius’ spiritual vitality is completely different from that of Diotrephes as John has been informed through the testimony of other believers. Specifically, Gaius has shown hospitality to other Christians (vv. 5–8).
On the other hand, the actions of Diotrephes violates Christ’s command to love one another. In other words, Diotrephes had disconnected his soul from God through the actions he had taken which reminds me of what we have shared over the last two days. Real faith is an action
David was determined to address his situation concerning his soul. His action was put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God. Good advice David.
Stay safe and blessed.