{"id":1472,"date":"2011-03-20T01:54:05","date_gmt":"2011-03-20T01:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2011\/03\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-riding-the-roller-coaster-of-genuine-faith.html"},"modified":"2011-03-20T01:54:05","modified_gmt":"2011-03-20T01:54:05","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-riding-the-roller-coaster-of-genuine-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2011\/03\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-riding-the-roller-coaster-of-genuine-faith.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Riding the Roller Coaster of Genuine Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Riding the Roller Coaster of Genuine Faith<\/h2>\n
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Psalm 42:1-11<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nWhy am I discouraged?
\n     Why is my heart so sad?
\nI will put my hope in God!
\n     I will praise him again–
\n     my Savior and my God!<\/p>\n

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Psalm 42:11<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
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\nI am a roller coaster fan. Ever since, as a four-year-old boy, I first
\nwent on the Matterhorn at Disneyland, I have loved the feeling of flying
\naround in controlled chaos, rising and dipping, being flung to the left
\nand then to the right. Give me a big drop and my face will glow with
\ndelight. (I must admit, however, that I did feel rather queasy on the
\nHigh Roller in Las Vegas. It was perched atop the 900-foot high tower of
\nthe Stratosphere Hotel. That was a little more height than I needed!)<\/p>\n

\nGenuine faith in God can be like a roller coaster sometimes. We see
\nthis in Psalm 42. It begins the extreme longing for God, as a deer longs
\nfor water (42:1). Then the psalm moves into lamentation, confessing
\nthat the only water the psalmist has tasted is his own tears (42:3). His
\nheart breaks as he remembers his former joy in the Lord, a joy that has
\nturned to sorrow (42:4).<\/p>\n

\nAt this point, the psalmist pauses to speak to his own soul: “Why am I
\ndiscouraged? Why is my heart so sad?” Then he exhorts himself: “Hope in
\nGod!” (following the original Hebrew of 42:5). In a moment of genuine
\nhopefulness, he adds, ” I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!”
\n(42:5-6).<\/p>\n

\nBut this optimistic moment fades, as the psalm writer once again
\nlaments, “Now I am deeply discouraged” (42:6). Yet as he remembers the
\nLord, the psalmist affirms: “But each day the LORD pours his unfailing
\nlove upon me” (42:8). Does this mean it’s time for celebration? Hardly.
\nRather, the profession of God’s love leads to further complaint, “O God
\nmy rock . . . Why have you forgotten me?” (42:9).<\/p>\n

\nFinally, Psalm 42 ends by repeating the refrain sung earlier in verse
\n5: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in
\nGod! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!” (42:11).<\/p>\n

\nYou’ve just ridden the roller coaster of genuine faith: from longing to
\nlament to sorrow, from sorrow to hope and praise, then to
\ndiscouragement and a recognition of God’s love, back to lament,
\nfinishing with hope and praise. And all of this in only eleven verses!<\/p>\n

\nWhen I read Psalm 42, I am encouraged by the utter reality of the
\npsalmist’s faith. There is no pretending here, only open authenticity, a
\ntestimony to faith hangs on to the Lord in the twists and turns of a
\nliving relationship with him.<\/p>\n

\nQUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION<\/strong>: Does your
\nrelationship with God every feel like a roller coaster? Why do you think
\nfaith can be like this? What helps you to hang on to the Lord in times
\nof lament and doubt? What helps you to have hope in God?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

\nPRAYER<\/strong>:  Dear Lord, how thankful I am for the
\nauthenticity of this psalm. The honesty of the psalm writer encourages
\nme when I struggle in my relationship with you. It reminds me that faith
\nis not a static thing, but a living encounter with the living God.<\/p>\n

\nThank you, Lord, for keeping me safe as I ride the roller coaster of
\ngenuine faith. Without your grace, I would truly run off the rails. But
\nyou are with me always, watching me, holding me, helping me.<\/p>\n

\nPsalm 42 doesn’t pretend that faith in you is all smiles, Lord. Yet it
\ndoesn’t get stuck in the muck of despair, either. Help me to pray like
\nthis, to cry out to you honestly when I am in despair, and to confess
\nyour faithfulness.<\/p>\n

\nToday, Lord, may I put my hope in you. May I praise you in word and
\ndeed, remembering that you are my Savior and my God! I pray in the name
\nof Jesus, Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong> This devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling<\/i> is associated with Laity Lodge, where I work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Riding the Roller Coaster of Genuine Faith Psalm 42:1-11 Why am I discouraged?      Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!      I will praise him again–      my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11 I am a roller coaster fan. Ever since, as a four-year-old boy, I first…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Riding the Roller Coaster of Genuine Faith - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}