Day 140 – Psalm 5, 38, 41-42

Talking Points

• David sees the sin of his enemies, but also is ever aware of his own. He says it is only in God’s “abundant lovingkindness” that he will enter into God’s house (5:7). Today, too, we only have access to God because of His great lovingkindness.
• Our hope is that God would lead us in His righteousness, making our ways straight (5:8). The world’s direction is wrong. Our natural inclinations are wrong. Only God is righteous, and so only God can lead us into righteousness.
• Psalm 38 records a true lament over sin. It is more than regret for the consequences, more than disdain for the punishment, though both are real. It is true sorrow over choosing to rebel against God. It is interesting, from the Garden on, Satan has tried to minimize sin. He tells us that it is no big deal, it is normal, and it is expected. A right perspective always sees sin for what it is. A right heart always breaks over sin. A right heart comes from a right view of God.
• We sing a song that says, “Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back. No turning back.” The reality is, walking with God can be a lonely business. David even feels the sting of the betrayal of a very close friend, one who often ate at his table. He knows what we need to know today — we hope in God.
• You can tell much about a person by the things they long for. What is it that we crave? What do we seek? What would those around us say? What about our calendars or bank statements? Psalm 42 sings of single-minded desperation for God. The psalmist is in great despair as he writes. Is it possible to be that desperate for God outside of trouble? Shouldn’t that be where our hearts stay?

Thoughts

Do you ever find your soul in despair? There are seasons when it seems nothing is easy, everything is excruciating, you can’t catch your breath, and you sink into desperation. And then, other times, things are going fine, and despair can overwhelm from nowhere. Something small, trivial almost, can catch us unaware, bringing back a flood of memories and emotions, and then, suddenly, we are floundering in anguish.

And, in these discouraging times, we might think that God is upset with us, that He can’t understand our sorrow, or that He has forgotten us.

God has provided His Word for times such as those. Remember that these words were inspired by God, written by people — real people — and preserved by God throughout the ages, that we might read them today and find comfort, wisdom, peace.

What I’m trying to say is that God knew we would feel this way. He knew there would be moments, seasons when we feel despair — hopelessness. He knew we would wonder at Him, confused and worried that He might have forgotten about us. He knew we would be searching for hope.

Listen to Him as He speaks through someone who really felt this:
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God” (42:11).

God doesn’t want us to be despairing; He wants us to hope in Him. He tells us that we will yet praise Him. He is the help of our countenance. He is our God.

Today, if you find yourself wondering at Him, confused and worried that He might have forgotten you, if you’re searching for hope, hope in God. Hope in God! O soul, hope in Him!