~Psalm 42~

~ It's a dry, dark, and downcast place. It's a place of depression and of despair. This popular state is ensnaring and discouraging. It's hopeless, heavy, and lonely. This depression is described by a parched psalmist in Psalm 42. The author desperately cries out in the midst of the feeling of emptiness. This cry for help demonstrates God's ability to bring hope and peace in the most rumpled situations. This Psalm is a personal connection to a depressive time in my life and reminds me of my joy and freedom in my Most High God.

~ This Psalm describes the deep thirst of someone in need of God's quenching presence. The author continually questions the discontentment he is experiencing in the depths of his soul: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" Oppression sucks his spiritual fervor. He feels so removed from God's presence and feels lost and afraid.

~ In the midst of desolateness, God's fulfilling presence is evident throughout this Psalm. Although the psalmist is in such a depressed state, he continually focuses on God through it all. He recognizes that God is the One to quench His thirst, that God is his Savior, and that God continues to direct His love. The psalmist decides not to give up but to have faith through it all. He says, "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." God is completely involved through the struggle and His presence is definitely all we need to get through.

~ For me personally, Psalm 42 is a great example of a prayer through the impossible moments. Through heartache, fatigue, doubt, or any emptying struggle, God is sufficient for me. He will come through. He will comfort, strengthen, and love me through it. This Psalm was such a comfort for me through a recently difficult time. I was hopeless, brokenhearted, and shattered. But this Psalm reminded me that it is alright to feel downcast. It's alright to not have it all together... because God comforts through the tears and restores the scraps back to a whole. He is the constant in my life. He is the hope of my life. He is enough for my life.

~ It's a quenched, bright, and satisfied place. It's a place of hope and of encouragement. This uplifting state is contagious and inspiring. It's promising, freeing, and fulfilling. This satisfaction is described by a hopeful psalmist in the depths of relentless darkness. His focus is forever filling, always giving true contentment. And I've experienced it...