Dear Friends,
Psalm 42 hits home for me, and I suspect that it may hit home for you too. Most of us have had days when we are down, exhausted, and feel like life is off kilter. Maybe you are having one of those types of days too!
As I have been sitting with my mom at her hospital bedside often these last few weeks, it seems that I have eaten a diet of tears often (vv 1-3). There have been some dark rough moments. But keeping in the Word is strengthening me and helping me to endure this trial. Psalm 42 has some great insights to minister to us in this matter, and do I need it right about now!
The NIV translates verse 1 like this, “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul thirsts after you.” It is quite easy to let sadness creep in and forget all that the Lord has taught me over the last 30 years at this trying time. Why? Because I am enduring a trial, and the devil is wearing me out. But if I know that I am thirsty, I can go to God and get living water. I can be refreshed. I don’t have to give in to the weeping. I am trying to embrace the moment, allow God to comfort me, and then move on in HIS strength! It’s like God ordained for me to read this Psalm today; like I was directed to it, though we all know it’s the next one for us to read together.
It says that” I was always at the head of the worshipping crowed, right out in front, leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, shouting praises, singing thanksgivings-celebrating, all of us, God’s feast” (v4). Folks, I lead worship at our church and that has kept me in place of praise. It’s hard to remember that when you are down in the dumps, but I have to keep reminding myself to praise Him, even if my mom is dying of cancer.
Also, when I was in FL, it was easier for me to focus on God because I was not confronting this battle head on. Verse 5 encourages us to look to God when we are down in the dumps and to rehears everything we know about God. At the end, verse 11 reminds us again to look to God.
It doesn’t matter what the crisis is, how dry you feel, or how emotional you may be. There are a few things you can do to be lifted by the Lord. Look to Him and remind yourself of the great God that He is, remember His Promises to you, and above all, encourage yourself in the Lord as you wait and hope for Him to meet you! He puts a smile on my face when I look to Him (v11).
Psalm 42 -The Message (MSG)
1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek;
I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I'm thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, "Will I ever make it—
arrive and drink in God's presence?"
I'm on a diet of tears—
tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
people knock at my door,
Pestering,
"Where is this God of yours?"
4 These are the things I go over and over,
emptying out the pockets of my life.
I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
right out in front,
Leading them all,
eager to arrive and worship,
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
celebrating, all of us, God's feast!
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God's prayer.
9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
"Why did you let me down?
Why am I walking around in tears,
harassed by enemies?"
They're out for the kill, these
tormentors with their obscenities,
Taunting day after day,
"Where is this God of yours?"
11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I'm thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, "Will I ever make it—
arrive and drink in God's presence?"
I'm on a diet of tears—
tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
people knock at my door,
Pestering,
"Where is this God of yours?"
4 These are the things I go over and over,
emptying out the pockets of my life.
I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
right out in front,
Leading them all,
eager to arrive and worship,
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
celebrating, all of us, God's feast!
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God's prayer.
9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
"Why did you let me down?
Why am I walking around in tears,
harassed by enemies?"
They're out for the kill, these
tormentors with their obscenities,
Taunting day after day,
"Where is this God of yours?"
11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
Please take the time to reflect and comment:
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