Hi First Presbyterian Church,
Don’t forget that today at noon, Pastor Erin and I will be leading a time of prayer in our sanctuary. Our intention for this service was to create a space following Election Day where people could gather with others in a spirit of unity and simply let God know how they're feeling. I hope you will be able to make it to our time of prayer.
Today is Day 59 in our one-year Bible reading journey. Yesterday, we read Psalm 42. We’re also going to be reading that psalm during our noon-time prayer service today; so I thought I would reflect on it with you now.
Psalm 42 has always been one of my favorite psalms, mostly because of the opening sentence, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” It reminds me that I need God more than I need my next drink of water. But there is more to this psalm than that first verse.
This psalm is unique compared to the rest of the psalms in the Bible. Rarely do we ever encounter a psalm in which the psalmist is having an internal dialogue. Many psalms describe external circumstances or societal conflict. There is some of that in Psalm 42. However, this psalmist is having a moment of self-awareness and looking inward at his or her emotions and asking, “Why am I feeling this way?” Do you ever say that to yourself? The psalmist is feeling sadness and maybe even depression, describing their sadness as a constant barrage of waves crashing over them (v. 7). Have you ever felt that way?
Perhaps you feel that way today. If that’s true, then hear the answer the psalmist gives to this dilemma. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God” (v. 11). The psalmist is longing to be in the presence of God, worshiping God and remembering God’s goodness.
Whether or not you join us in prayer at noon, spend some time with God today. The fourth-century bishop Augustine was right when he once wrote, “Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in you.” Jesus doesn’t just know the way to God; he himself is the way to God (John 14:6). Run to your Savior today, who is eternally faithful and true.
Peace to you,
Pastor Aaron