‘A Cry of Hope in a Desert of Despair’ – Psalms 42-43
‘A Cry of Hope in a Desert of Despair’ – Psalms 42-43
Intro:
I. The Situation
A. Separation from God’s presence: Verse 2 – When?
B. Oppression from pagan men: See verses 3, 9b-10; 43.1.
C. Inner consternation: Where he wants to be, is where he’s not. He feels abandoned by God, yet he still turns to God in prayer. This man of the righteous remnant shows us how to respond.
II. The Prescription
1. Keep seeking God alone for satisfaction (Ps 42.1-3).
The Psalmist knows Who he’s missing, and Who he needs & wants (Ps 63.1). He won’t be satisfied with anyone else or anything less. Don’t turn to broken cisterns (Jer 2.13).
How does this apply to us the NT people of God? See John 17.3; 4.13-14; Col 3.1-3.
2. Remember past seasons of joyful corporate worship & bounty in God’s presence (Ps 42.4, 6).
He’s removed, but he remembers, and it helps to soothe his soul.
The height of his worship experience isn’t at home alone, but with the assembled people of God.
How does this connect with us now, physically separated from the local church? Heb 10.24-25.
3. Question God from faith, when you feel forgotten by God (Ps 42.2, 5, 11 & Ps 43.5; v. Ps 42.9; 43.2).
He questions from faith, because he’s praying to God. Although he feels forsaken by God, he hasn’t forgotten who his God is. Consider his many descriptions of God.
“A loss of the present sense of God’s love is not a loss of that love itself” (Spurgeon, 175).
See Rom 8.35-39.
4. Stop listening to yourself and start talking to yourself (Ps 42.5, 11, Ps 43.5).
(This point #4 is taken from a statement by Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones.)
He commands himself in the refrain, “hope” or “wait” in God to act for you.
Preach the gospel to yourself (Rom 7.25; 8.31-32).
In Christ, I know that any suffering isn’t for my destruction, but for my sanctification.
In hope we wait for God to act again. We anticipate the fulfillment of His promises.
See Hebrews 6.19-20.
5. Plead for God to enact His promises for deliverance & to lead you home to Him (Ps 43.1-3).
In moving from Ps 42 to Ps 43, we move from the contemplative side of things – what he must do, to the command side of things – what he calls God to do (Ps 124).
What’s he mean by send out your light & your truth?
Ultimately, the Psalmist doesn’t want to return merely to a place, but to a person, to enjoy God.
III. The Resolution (Ps 43.4-5)
God’s redemption results in great rejoicing in His presence (Ps 27.4; 30.5).
Here the Psalmist ends his lament with confidence in a future homecoming.
Even though his physical situation hasn’t changed, what has changed?
This happens sort of right now, similar to Judah’s return after the Babylonian Captivity.
But our heart’s longing won’t be fully satisfied until Christ’s 2nd Coming (Jn 17.24).
‘A Cry of Hope in a Desert of Despair’ – Psalms 42-43
‘A Cry of Hope in a Desert of Despair’ – Psalms 42-43
Intro:
I. The Situation
A. Separation from God’s presence: Verse 2 – When?
B. Oppression from pagan men: See verses 3, 9b-10; 43.1.
C. Inner consternation: Where he wants to be, is where he’s not. He feels abandoned by God, yet he still turns to God in prayer. This man of the righteous remnant shows us how to respond.
II. The Prescription
1. Keep seeking God alone for satisfaction (Ps 42.1-3).
The Psalmist knows Who he’s missing, and Who he needs & wants (Ps 63.1). He won’t be satisfied with anyone else or anything less. Don’t turn to broken cisterns (Jer 2.13).
How does this apply to us the NT people of God? See John 17.3; 4.13-14; Col 3.1-3.
2. Remember past seasons of joyful corporate worship & bounty in God’s presence (Ps 42.4, 6).
He’s removed, but he remembers, and it helps to soothe his soul.
The height of his worship experience isn’t at home alone, but with the assembled people of God.
How does this connect with us now, physically separated from the local church? Heb 10.24-25.
3. Question God from faith, when you feel forgotten by God (Ps 42.2, 5, 11 & Ps 43.5; v. Ps 42.9; 43.2).
He questions from faith, because he’s praying to God. Although he feels forsaken by God, he hasn’t forgotten who his God is. Consider his many descriptions of God.
“A loss of the present sense of God’s love is not a loss of that love itself” (Spurgeon, 175).
See Rom 8.35-39.
4. Stop listening to yourself and start talking to yourself (Ps 42.5, 11, Ps 43.5).
(This point #4 is taken from a statement by Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones.)
He commands himself in the refrain, “hope” or “wait” in God to act for you.
Preach the gospel to yourself (Rom 7.25; 8.31-32).
In Christ, I know that any suffering isn’t for my destruction, but for my sanctification.
In hope we wait for God to act again. We anticipate the fulfillment of His promises.
See Hebrews 6.19-20.
5. Plead for God to enact His promises for deliverance & to lead you home to Him (Ps 43.1-3).
In moving from Ps 42 to Ps 43, we move from the contemplative side of things – what he must do, to the command side of things – what he calls God to do (Ps 124).
What’s he mean by send out your light & your truth?
Ultimately, the Psalmist doesn’t want to return merely to a place, but to a person, to enjoy God.
III. The Resolution (Ps 43.4-5)
God’s redemption results in great rejoicing in His presence (Ps 27.4; 30.5).
Here the Psalmist ends his lament with confidence in a future homecoming.
Even though his physical situation hasn’t changed, what has changed?
This happens sort of right now, similar to Judah’s return after the Babylonian Captivity.
But our heart’s longing won’t be fully satisfied until Christ’s 2nd Coming (Jn 17.24).