Psalm 42
February 13
February 13
This is one of my favorite psalms and songs. As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. A deer will run to water
when thirsty, but also when in need of shelter from danger, when combating an
opponent, or when sick with fever, and needs the water’s refreshing coolness.
In times of spiritual isolation, danger, battle, and affliction, we will
spiritually thirst for God’s presence in prayer. God uses our bad circumstances
to get us to cry out to Him.Adversity did not lead the psalmist to give up on God. He was cast down in his soul, but not in his relationship with God.
“Yet shall I praise
Him.” (Ps. 42: 5, 11; 43:5) Perhaps he remembered ancient Job, who said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him,”
(Job 13:15). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego may have remembered this psalm when
they said, “even if He does not deliver
us, we will not serve your gods.” Peter would say, “to whom shall we go, You have the words of life.” (John 6:68)
Paul wrote the following: 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; we are perplexed
, but not in despair ; 9 Persecuted , but not forsaken ; cast down , but not
destroyed ; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Don’t despair. Don’t be downcast. “The Lord will command His lovingkindness” (42:8), God will send His
light and His truth (Ps. 43:3). There is a “yet to be” in your future; you will
go to the altar of God, not in tears, but in joy and delight; you will sing
praises again (Ps. 43:4).
Have your hardships driven you to yearn and thirst for God?
There is a “Yet to Be” in your future. In your darkest night, let His song be
with you, a prayer to the God of your life.
