Many of us know that painful and frustrating experience of feeling deeply sad but not knowing why. We hear this echoed in the psalmist's cry in Psalm 42-43, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?" Yet in the next breath, he says "I will praise and hope in God!"
Psalm 42-43 shows us a picture of someone who is wrestling with the weight of his emotions and seeking to be candid about them without being controlled by them. For many of us, that is a very hard balance to achieve. This week, as you read these psalms, can you be honest with God about how you are feeling? And can you at the same time choose to hope in him and let his goodness shape how you are feeling in this moment?
Psalm 42-43
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
3Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
"Where is this God of yours?"
4My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!
5Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Saviour and 6my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.
7I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
9"O God my rock," I cry,
"why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?"
10Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, "Where is this God of yours?"
11Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Saviour and my God!
1Declare me innocent, O God!
Defend me against these ungodly people.
Rescue me from these unjust liars.
2For you are God, my only safe haven.
Why have you tossed me aside?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?
3Send out your light and your truth;
let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you live.
4There I will go to the altar of God,
to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp,
O God, my God!
5Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Saviour and my God!
Reflection Questions
- What is discouraging or saddening in your life right now?
- Are there memories you have of experiencing God's love in the past that you long to experience now? Speak with God about those longings.
- Notice in Psalm 42:7-8, the psalmist feels both afflicted by God's waves and at the same time God's unfailing love poured out on him. In what ways do you find yourself met both by opposition and love from God at the same time?
Taking It Further This Week: Almsgiving
The desire to honour God with our actions regardless of our feelings is at the heart of the age-old practice called Almsgiving – which simply means to give help to those in need. Often, we don't feel like helping others and find it more natural just to look out for our own needs. But this is far from the heart that Jesus sought to see in his followers. Let this week's video challenge – to do something for someone in need – lead you into a posture of giving in a way that stretches you and gives you the joy of looking beyond yourself to the good of others.
If you need inspiration, this week's section of The Lent Experience Participant’s Journal offers some fantastic ideas of ways you might meet the needs of others.
Scripture for Further Reflection
- Leviticus 19:9-10
- James 1:27
- Isaiah 58
- Matthew 22:34-40
- Matthew 25
Login To Leave Comment