God’s Truth for Trying Times - 4/16/20

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

READ: Psalm 42

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. 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. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?" 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.”
‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭42:1-11‬)

CONSIDER: The Psalmist said his soul pants for God like a deer pants for water. There is a huge amount of dependency and trust. There is a thirst - or hunger - for God. And you'll notice that it is the living God that he longs for. That signifies the sovereign God who is the only savior. Just like Peter, in Matthew chapter 16, professed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. Basically God Almighty Himself. Praise God that God is all powerful and that we can put our trust in Him because He can handle everything  

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?

PRAY:‬‬ Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.