A deer longs for streams of water. God, I long for you in the same way. I am thirsty for God. I am thirsty for the living God. When can I go and meet with him? My tears have been my food day and night. All day long people say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember what has happened, I tell God all my troubles. I remember how I used to walk to the house of God. The Mighty One guarded my steps. We shouted with joy and praised God as we went along with the joyful crowd. My spirit, why are you so sad? Why are you so upset deep down inside me? Put your hope in God. Once again I will have reason to praise him. He is my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:1-5 NIRV)
The problems experienced by the writer of this Psalm are similar to the difficulties some of us are facing. We cry out to God night and day hoping he hears us and acts on our behalf. The people around the writer of the Psalm know he has put his hope in God but when they see no response, they ask him “Where is your God?” Has this ever happened to you? Does God seem deaf or asleep?
The Lord is far away from the wicked, but he always hears the prayers of those who do what is right. (Proverbs 15:29 ERV)
When we give our will and life over to the care of God, we become His precious children. He then begins to work all things together for our good. This includes our past as well as our future. Like any loving parent, God listens to our requests. Sometimes we want him to immediately remove all the consequences of our past wrongdoing. However, the answer to our prayer may be, “Yes,” “No,” or “Later.” Like any good parent, God decides the answer to our prayer and the time to act for our good.
In the end, the writer of the Psalm tells himself to put his hope in God knowing that he will have reason again to praise Him. If we persevere through trying circumstances, the same will be true of us. We will praise our wise God for His understanding and wisdom in all our affairs.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, As Your child I never have to fear the future on my own. You know my past, present and future and will guide me in all the right ways. Thank You for caring for me. Amen
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