Like you, the Psalmist had his crazy, challenging days! There were days that life didn’t make sense. There were days when the unexpected became normal. Life’s craziness overwhelmed to the point of distraction, even to the point of saying “God, where are you?” But even as these thoughts threatened to crush him, the Psalmist returned to what he knew was true, what he knew he could trust…
The Holy Spirit has given us a window into the Psalmist’s heart during a difficult, crazy time in his life. Let’s look at this portion of Psalm 42:
In the middle of his discouragement he realizes the waves are God’s waves. He feels desperate and alone. Still, he recognizes his God has not left him.
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.
I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
Even as the waves wash over him, God’s love is poured upon him.
He sees God’s hand in the waves and seas of life. Even in the crazy mess the praise and song of God do not leave him.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
As discouragement returns, the Psalmist cries out to God.
Notice the combination here. God is his rock, yet he thinks he is forgotten. Everywhere he turns there is opposition, grief, bad memories. His body hurts, he is exhausted. Thoughts of “why is this happening to me” flood is mind. The Holy Spirit wrote these words because he knows you will have days like this. Days when it seems even though you what is true, you feel abandoned! From verses 9 and 10 you can take comfort: God gets it, he knows about your crazy days and he is there for you!
“O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”
Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
In the middle of the hard, crazy days reality returns.
Our Psalmist finally gets it! Yes, all the stressors of life are present, but God is above all of it. God will provide. God is his constant. Hope and praise of God are the places of safety for our Psalmist to flee. He invites you to come with him. On any day and especially on the craziest, hardest days your hope is in God. He is your rock, your savior, you God. He is lord of all!
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!