Day 4: Psalm 42 - Thirsting for God
Take a moment to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Then open your eyes and slowly read and pray today's psalm in the image above.
A deer pants for water when it is worn out and needs refreshment. The psalmist's soul thirsts for God in the same way (1-2). His tears have been his food day and night (3), and he feels downcast as he pours out his soul (4-5).
Notice the psalmist's inner dialogue. He asks his own soul why it is downcast and disturbed, and then he encourages himself to put his hope in God, because he will yet praise him (5, 11). This is a kind of defiant hope: holding on to hope even when circumstances make it incredibly hard.
Consider how it feels to hear that by day the Lord directs his love, and at night his song is with you (8). Then slowly pray Psalm 42 again. What words of hope from Scripture, or memories of God's love, might encourage you in your suffering?
Reflection Questions
Personal reflection:
In what ways have difficult circumstances in your life made you thirst for the living God (1-2)? Freely name your concerns and frustrations to God.
Community discussion:
Have you ever experienced defiant hope, where you held on to hope in God even when your circumstances made it incredibly hard (5, 11)? What helped you hold on?