Have you ever felt yourself longing for God, as if God weren’t there already?
The truth is that while God remains forever near, life’s experiences often suggest that because we’re down in the dumps, it must be that God can’t be within reach.
So, David declares,
1As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?
When shall I behold God’s face and know that God is real, he asks. You know what? When we’re downtrodden and imperilled, that question can be a real plague. And those around you may not help. In fact, some could push you to the edge if you’re not already there. Hear the man:
3My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’
But when enemies real or imagined suggest that you question the presence of God, tell yourself they’re lying. Tell yourself to choose the better option. Like the psalmist, recall your precious memories of better days. Tell yourself like David:
5Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help 6and my God.
Praise pays dividends. God and heaven come to dwell in the midst of praise, upon your praise, in your praise! Things change even while they remain the same.
Don’t walk about mournfully as If God has forgotten you because God does not forget the people whom God loves. And God loves YOU.
Then in tough times, you have every reason to question yourself even of you did not cause the rough times to come; and remind yourself to hope in God. Hope lightens the future.
11Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.