“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.” (Psalm 43:5, ESV)
Have you ever been wronged? Were you ever taken advantage of? Was there a time when someone considered it their sole purpose in life to cause your suffering or tears? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, if you’ve ever endured long-term trials and temptations, this meditation will touch your heart and soul!
Psalm 43 begins with the author suffering under great “oppression” (verse 2). His situation was difficult. He was surrounded by “ungodly people” (v. 1). He was overwhelmed by grief and “mourning” (v.2). It felt like God had rejected him. Depression and regret filled his every waking moment. In this type of situation, he had just about lost all hope. And yet! And yet! The author ended this psalm with a glimmer of joy. Despite the darkness of godlessness and oppression filling his days, he asked himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 43:5). The answer brought all kinds of joy…. He still “hopes in God” (v.5). God is still his “salvation”. God would bring him “praise” one day soon!
You can imagine this type of scenario during Jesus’ last week of life. As Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem, there were ominous signs. Jesus had told the disciples that He would soon be killed (Matthew 17:23). Matthew 23:34 contains Jesus’ lament about Jerusalem; that it is a city that “kills prophets and wise men”. There were other warnings and omens about traveling to that city. Like the author of Psalm 43, Jesus and the disciples were surrounded by “ungodly people”. Then, Jesus was arrested. Then the disciples fled. Then, Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. No doubt the souls of the disciples were crushed or “cast down”. But what did God the Father do on Easter Sunday? God the Father raised Jesus up from the dead. There was “hope” in the resurrection!
After a long dry spell in California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and other western states, the fire warnings went out. Fire jumpers were ordered to get ready to be flown wherever fire broke out. Fire lookouts manned towers all over the western regions. Air tankers were put on standby. Campers were warned to be cautious when cooking or making fires. Despite all the warnings, a fire broke out in a remote part of Nevada. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already damaged or destroyed more than seven thousand acres.
One group of fire jumpers were flown to Nevada to make a fire break. Winds had caused problems with this method, but the jumpers were spurred to try anyway. Just as they finished the fire break, a fawn came running out of the forest. The young little deer’s eyes were huge as she feared the heat and flames. Not knowing where to go after coming to the break, the fawn laid down right in the middle of the fire jumpers as the fire began to overtake them. Fearing the worst, the fire jumpers huddled together around the fawn and put their fire blankets over their heads and waited. The roar of the fire grew and grew. The poor little deer wanted to run but one of the fire jumpers held it safe under his fire blanket.
Just when the jumpers thought the fire would bear down right over their heads, the wind changed. Out of the smoke came a little rain to cool the forest. Then, the fire moved away from the group. As the jumpers put away their fire blankets with the danger passed, they peered around at their surroundings. Everywhere they looked, there was fire damage and ash. The forest seemed dead. Just then, the fawn broke free. It ran off into the distance. Despite char all around them, that beautiful little fawn saved from the fire caused one of the jumpers to exclaim, “That little one makes our job so worth it!”
When the author of Psalm 43 was put in his position of suffering among the ungodly, he had to be reminded that God was still with him. All was not lost! When the smoke jumpers were surrounded by ashes and dead trees, they still were reminded by that fawn that life went on, and beautiful things were saved by the presence of firefighters in God’s creation.
If you find yourself suffering or alone, do not give up hope. All is not lost! God is still present with you! You are not lost to God. Your faith in God is a precious commodity. Look for God’s presence, listen for God’s voice, seek God’s redemption, feel for God’s Spirit. Hope will be near, because God is God!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God! I so enjoy your presence! When the day turns to night, and my thoughts turn to prayers, it is wonderful to feel You are near! When alone in a far away place, the knowledge that You know where I am brings hope and joy!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for those special moments when Your Spirit is close. In prayer, I can hear Your voice. In the quiet, I sense Your nearness to me.
I thank You for Jesus, my Savior. His words and actions kindled a desire within me. I wanted desperately to make promises in Jesus’ name. I needed to accept His grace. I was willing to obey Your call. I can’t imagine my life without Jesus in it! I cannot fathom how lost this world would be without the presence and inspiration of Your Holy Spirit.
With Your love in my heart, I rest in Your arms this day! Amen.
Psalm 43 begins with the author suffering under great “oppression” (verse 2). His situation was difficult. He was surrounded by “ungodly people” (v. 1). He was overwhelmed by grief and “mourning” (v.2). It felt like God had rejected him. Depression and regret filled his every waking moment. In this type of situation, he had just about lost all hope. And yet! And yet! The author ended this psalm with a glimmer of joy. Despite the darkness of godlessness and oppression filling his days, he asked himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 43:5). The answer brought all kinds of joy…. He still “hopes in God” (v.5). God is still his “salvation”. God would bring him “praise” one day soon!
You can imagine this type of scenario during Jesus’ last week of life. As Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem, there were ominous signs. Jesus had told the disciples that He would soon be killed (Matthew 17:23). Matthew 23:34 contains Jesus’ lament about Jerusalem; that it is a city that “kills prophets and wise men”. There were other warnings and omens about traveling to that city. Like the author of Psalm 43, Jesus and the disciples were surrounded by “ungodly people”. Then, Jesus was arrested. Then the disciples fled. Then, Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. No doubt the souls of the disciples were crushed or “cast down”. But what did God the Father do on Easter Sunday? God the Father raised Jesus up from the dead. There was “hope” in the resurrection!
After a long dry spell in California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and other western states, the fire warnings went out. Fire jumpers were ordered to get ready to be flown wherever fire broke out. Fire lookouts manned towers all over the western regions. Air tankers were put on standby. Campers were warned to be cautious when cooking or making fires. Despite all the warnings, a fire broke out in a remote part of Nevada. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already damaged or destroyed more than seven thousand acres.
One group of fire jumpers were flown to Nevada to make a fire break. Winds had caused problems with this method, but the jumpers were spurred to try anyway. Just as they finished the fire break, a fawn came running out of the forest. The young little deer’s eyes were huge as she feared the heat and flames. Not knowing where to go after coming to the break, the fawn laid down right in the middle of the fire jumpers as the fire began to overtake them. Fearing the worst, the fire jumpers huddled together around the fawn and put their fire blankets over their heads and waited. The roar of the fire grew and grew. The poor little deer wanted to run but one of the fire jumpers held it safe under his fire blanket.
Just when the jumpers thought the fire would bear down right over their heads, the wind changed. Out of the smoke came a little rain to cool the forest. Then, the fire moved away from the group. As the jumpers put away their fire blankets with the danger passed, they peered around at their surroundings. Everywhere they looked, there was fire damage and ash. The forest seemed dead. Just then, the fawn broke free. It ran off into the distance. Despite char all around them, that beautiful little fawn saved from the fire caused one of the jumpers to exclaim, “That little one makes our job so worth it!”
When the author of Psalm 43 was put in his position of suffering among the ungodly, he had to be reminded that God was still with him. All was not lost! When the smoke jumpers were surrounded by ashes and dead trees, they still were reminded by that fawn that life went on, and beautiful things were saved by the presence of firefighters in God’s creation.
If you find yourself suffering or alone, do not give up hope. All is not lost! God is still present with you! You are not lost to God. Your faith in God is a precious commodity. Look for God’s presence, listen for God’s voice, seek God’s redemption, feel for God’s Spirit. Hope will be near, because God is God!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God! I so enjoy your presence! When the day turns to night, and my thoughts turn to prayers, it is wonderful to feel You are near! When alone in a far away place, the knowledge that You know where I am brings hope and joy!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for those special moments when Your Spirit is close. In prayer, I can hear Your voice. In the quiet, I sense Your nearness to me.
I thank You for Jesus, my Savior. His words and actions kindled a desire within me. I wanted desperately to make promises in Jesus’ name. I needed to accept His grace. I was willing to obey Your call. I can’t imagine my life without Jesus in it! I cannot fathom how lost this world would be without the presence and inspiration of Your Holy Spirit.
With Your love in my heart, I rest in Your arms this day! Amen.