By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Psalm 42:1-3, 6-8; 43:3-5
H.J. Duffy told a funny story in the Christian Reader. “While traveling in Wyoming, we stopped at a garage for minor car repairs. As we waited, my wife spotted a drinking fountain. When she pushed the button, water shot over her shoulder splashing against the wall. She tried again, pushing the button gently and regulating the flow before she drank. This time, as she raised her head, she noticed a crudely lettered sign on the wall: Old Faceful.” I couldn’t help but think that sometimes when we are thirsty — life gives us another face full of pain.
Psalm 42-43 were probably one psalm before being separated at some point. But whether or not that is true doesn’t change their common theme. The shared theme is picked up in a common refrain voiced in 42:5, 11 and 43:5 — “Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?” This sense of despair, dismay, and depression is not only familiar to the psalmist but also to many contemporary Christ-followers. Just when it seems that things can’t get any worse — for many things do get worse. For others there may be no identifiable reason for the despair which makes them feel even guiltier for feeling that way. This could explain the reason the psalmist talks to only God and himself about his feelings. Perhaps you understand all too well. Good news — God hears you and cares for you in the midst of your despair.
God cares for you even when you feel deserted by Him (42:1-3). The psalmist’s heart is parched for the living God as seen in, “As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God.” The psalmist’s soul thirsted for God, the living God. He is grieved by the perceived absence of God when he so thirsts for Him. To him, it is as if he seeks God but God doesn’t hear him or see him or care for him. Thus, we read, “When can I come and appear before God?” He couldn’t eat or drink. He is broken with despair so much that he says, “My tears have been my food day and night.” In the meantime, those around him implied that his faith should be enough or that God had abandoned him in the midst of his need. God cares for you even when you feel deserted.
God cares for you even when you feel deeply depressed (42:6-8). The psalmist clearly states in this prayer, “I am deeply depressed.” You and I should never hesitate to tell God exactly how we are feeling. But the psalmist also made a vital decision in the midst of his despair. He would remember all the good things God had done for him even though he didn’t feel like doing so at the time as seen in, “therefore I remember You.” We must consciously decide to remember God’s past help even when we don’t feel like doing so. God cares for you even when you feel deeply depressed.
God cares for you even when you feel like you are just going through the motions of worship (43:3-5). God doesn’t always take away our burden. But the psalmist teaches us to continue in our worship — to find a way to encounter the Holy God as seen in, “Send Your light and Your truth.” He knew that is what would lead him back to God. What we need when we feel nothing is God’s light and God’s truth. Even though you feel no hope — he says, “Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
You can find hope in the shelter of God’s encouragement.
— Pressnell is senior pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel.
