When your spirit grows faint

Our general characteristic is that we succumb to temptation more often when we're discouraged, weak, and not thinking about the great provisions from God through Christ. Psalm 143 contains good instruction for us:

1 O LORD , hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7 Answer me quickly, O LORD ; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD , for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For your name's sake, O LORD , preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we read that our "enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. " Like David, we're hunted. And our spirits can become weakened because of this. (This does not surprise or disappoint God, He knows our frame!)

So what should we do? Focus on God, not ourselves. Look at verses 5 and 6 -- I remember what you have done, I meditate on the works of your hands. Verse 8 -- I plead for direction and lift up my soul to God for refreshment. Verse 11 -- I appeal to God for His name's sake.

Don't give up, don't give in, shift your focus to God. He is the refuge.