Psalm 42

My focus lately has been seeing God's faithfulness, and then living my life in response to that.  For me, one of the best places in scripture (besides the cross itself) to see this is the Psalms.  This post has been a long time in the making (a week exactly), but hopefully more will follow on how different Psalms have been impacting me.  Today is Psalm 42.

I am an incredibly insecure person.  I don't know why I never noticed it before, but this year it has become incredibly obvious.  I've watched it effect my self esteem, my music, and my relationships with my friends, family, and girlfriend.  yet most tragically, I've seen it tear me away from God.

I've come to discover that the reason for this is that my insecurity stems from a lack of trust in God.  I see the depravity, and complete lack of an ability for good  in myself, without seeing the ultimate good of my God.  This is where Psalm 42 has found me.

I have recently heard 2 messages on this Psalm.  One of them by CJ Mahaney, given at a conference that many of my friends attended, and one by John Piper a week later.  The main focus of the Psalm was verse 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."  I love this.  The psalmist is literally talking to himself.  He is reminding himself of the character of God and in doing so, giving himself hope in his affliction.

 

Why should my soul be downcast?  Why should I be discouraged?  God has proven himself more than faithful in my life on a daily basis.  How can I not trust the maker of the universe to provide for me?  How can I not trust someone who loves me enough to die for me?  So I must remind myself that my hope is not in myself.  My hope is in my Salvation and my God.  I must fall before Him daily seeking His grace to face every moment of the day.

As a side note, the Piper message can be found here.