Scripture Reading: Psalm 42-43
I. Introduction
II. It is possible for a Christian to be seeking to walk with God and yet is downcast and depressed. (42:1-5)
a. The psalmist is on who thirsts for the living God and longs to meet God and joins God’s people in worship (1,2)
b. He laments he is discouraged, sad and depressed, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (5)
c. He is experiencing oppression, isolation, and loss of service opportunity as he recalled better times (3,4)
III. In our struggles with discouragement, we raise openly our issues and grouses to God (42:6-11)
a. Although he is cast down and separated from the temple, he digs deep to share his predicament to God (6-8)
b. He openly raises his despair to God (9-10)
IV. We unplug our pools of tears through talking to our God for deliverance and talking to ourselves to hope in the Lord.(43:1-5)
a. Talk to your just and protective God for your deliverance (1-4)
b. Talk to yourself instead of allowing yourself to talk to you (5, 42:5,11)
V. Conclusion
1. It is so easy for our circumstances to deprive us of hope. So how do we unplug our pools of tears and depression?
2. Hope in God. God’s promises and who it is that died and rose again to pay those promises, are stronger than our circumstances. We are no more victims but are now overcomers.
3. And that is a truth we like the psalmist, has to keep reminding ourselves constantly when we are in the dumps. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Yes AGAIN, I shall return to praise Him.
