These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?’ My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42 NIV)
As I periodically checked social media yesterday in the wake of a surprising, and for many, an unimaginable presidential election result, few in my feeds were happy to say the least. Several wrote they were grieving or in mourning. Some were very angry. Many were perplexed about the state of the country. I also came across several antagonistic comment discussions. Let’s just say the mood of many was grim.
I spend a lot of time talking with students who are struggling with a variety of things. Often my counsel is to do a little self-talk to help work through things. I have practiced this for years and have found it helpful, although more than once I’m sure people have thought I was a bit “off” hearing me when I thought no one could. What can I say? I’m a verbal processor!
In fact, it seems, so was David. This Psalm is a fine example of self-talk. David is very distraught—crying, in fact. It seems to him that everybody is against him. He has enemies all around. He is in a very dark place. He is not feeling hopeful in spite of his faith in God. Circumstances have overwhelmed any confidence he had. In desperation, he cries out to God. However, as for many of us, the Lord doesn’t immediately respond and comfort us. Instead, there is silence.
So David begins to talk to himself. He recalls the gladness He once had in the presence of the Lord and His people, and wonders how he could be so distraught when he once had such joy. He knows the answer: God. So he tells himself to put his hope in God even when things currently feel hopeless.
But, this is no easy fix. It doesn’t take immediately. Through the rest of the Psalm, David struggles with being convinced. But, and this is the key, he doesn’t give up. At the core of his being, he knows the Lord is the answer to his problem. In a place of darkness and hopelessness, he knows God is the one who can lead him back into the light and restore his hope.
If you are finding yourself despondent over this week’s election results, know there will be forces seeking to keep you there. But remember, like David, your hope is not based on your immediate circumstances or the seemingly bleak prospects for the future. Your hope is in God, who is faithful and trustworthy.
Today, remind yourself of that, saying it aloud if you must, and many times over if that is what it takes. It may seem weird, but David found it helpful and he was a man after God’s own heart.
© Jim Musser 2016
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