Week 51
Psalm 42:11 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation, and my God.”
It is important in life to take responsibility for one’s own spiritual situation, and it is important to rightly respond to a spiritual downgrade. Our text today is repeated three times in Psalm 42 and 43; thus, this verse must be very important. The message contained in these verses speak to us many times in this life!
The context of these psalms is human despair; the psalmist is struggling with powerful inner darkness. But what does the psalmist do? The psalmist preaches to himself; he brings the truth and marshals it to battle to bring the light of comfort.
First, the psalmist challenges himself in his soup of despair. How does he do this? He challenges himself by asking himself a relevant question that contextualizes the real issue. One of the great problems we face when depressed is to formulate wrong questions about our situation. We do this because we are taking the wrong approach to our painful issue. The only way to correct this is to bring a direct attack on our self-pity and force it to give a rationale for such depression. This shakes our darkness because the darkness cannot answer this question. Usually once we begin to explain why we are in despair, the foolishness of our attitude becomes apparent.
Second, the psalmist makes a declaration to himself that shatters hopelessness. The psalmist says, “Hope in God.” What is my problem when I am depressed? My problem is that I am not hoping in God. Hoping in God dispels the shadows of doubt. Putting one’s hope in God allows the sunshine of gladness to burst through the dark clouds of despondency. We must put our hope in God, not in others or in our situations; we must hope only in God! When we do this, we honor Him, and we find Him to be sufficient for the hour.
Third, the psalmist grabs hold of God’s promise to those who trust in Him. The psalmist says, “I shall again praise Him.” Note the certainty here! This is no suppositional postulation; this is a dramatic statement that carries absolute certainty. Why? How can the psalmist be so sure? The psalmist is assured because the Lord is his “salvation” and “God.” Actually, the text says, “my salvation and my God.” Note the use of the word, “my.” The personal nature of our relationship with God in Christ causes us to see Him in a personal way. The Lord is not just salvation, but “my” salvation; He is not just God, but He is “my” God. Because the Lord is our God and Savior, we can trust fully in Him. And, if we can trust in our God, then we can trust His promises. And, if we can trust His promises, then WE MUST TRUST HIS PROMISES. The reality demands an obligation! We MUST trust in the Lord.
Dear Christian friend, preach these things to yourself in the hour of your darkness, and you soon find that the rays of God’s sunshine will burst forth for your benefit and comfort.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to remember when I am downcast these important truths: 1) I must not give in to my self-pity; 2) I must put my hope in You; and 3) I live on the veracity of Your promises to me in Christ. Thus, I hope to enjoy Your peace in all things. Amen.