READ – Psalm 42 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?[b] 3 My tears have been my food day and night,While they continually say to me,“Where is your God?” 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.[c] 6 O my God,[d] my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; 8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 As with a breaking of my bones My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
SOAP – Psalm 42:11
God hears and acts on the cries of His people for justice in His time and in His way. Being a child of God does not eliminate us from the pain of betrayal, persecution, and ridicule. God promises divine justice and retribution on behalf of those who love and obey Him.
What answer to prayer have you lost hope for? God hears our prayers. He promises vindication and relief of our suffering and sadness. We can praise Him knowing that in His time, His will shall be done.
Father God, I thank You for Your assurance that my prayers are heard. Restore my hope and increase my willingness to continue in prayer. Help me to trust that Your will shall be done in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
