Day 114 – Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

Talking Points

• Sometimes, we wonder what God is up to. Perhaps we wonder if He has left us or somehow forgotten us. In these Psalms, we see the honest process of wrestling, deeply considering, and then reconciling the truth of who God is and what He is doing. We see that process is not only normal, but it is beneficial because His Word will always stand. More than that, we see His character will always stand. Our faith is safe in Him.
• The psalmist knows that God knows our hearts; they are not hidden from Him. That can be reassuring, and that can be terrifying, depending on our hearts.
• In an earnest prayer, the psalmist asks that God would send His light and truth to lead him. How awesome that the prayer is answered in Jesus! God did send His Light and His Truth that leads us to His holy dwelling place! Because of Christ, we have no reason to despair!
• We find an entire song reminding us of the foolishness of trusting in wealth and riches. Evidently, in all generations, that temptation seems to spring up. We are reminded that only what is eternal will matter, as the “glory” of wealth ends at the grave.
• The psalmist longs to worship God. “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside” (84:10). Worshiping God means abiding with Him. It is a daily walk with Him. It is better to worship Him as a living sacrifice, obeying Him, than to have the fleeting “fun” that sin brings. We, too, should long for the living God.

Thoughts

“Why are you in despair, O my soul?” (43:5)

The psalmist asks his own soul, “Why are you despairing?” Do you ever find yourself in deep anguish, and wonder even at yourself? One of the greatest things that happens as we read the Word of God is that He encourages us. He doesn’t expect that we won’t ever despair. He doesn’t chastise us for being human and having emotions. Oh, see the encouragement of the Living God, “the help of [our] countenance” (43:5).

“Hope in God, for [you] shall again praise Him” (43:5). We can hope. Our hope is in Him. Our hope is sure. Turn to Him. Knowing what we know, we can trust the Lord! Praise Him, today! Bless His name, today!

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace