As we venture into this New Year 2025, I would like to share Psalm 42. Psalm 42 is one of the most popular Psalms. It is one of the most hopeful and inspiring Psalms. It begins with the familiar:
鈥淎s the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.鈥
The Psalmist David didn鈥檛 write this during a time when everything was going well. In fact, he writes of tears that 鈥渉ave been my food day and night,鈥 times when the question all his friends are asking is 鈥淲here is your God?鈥 In fact, David wrote Psalm 42 during a season of great need. He was facing turbulent times.
But his Psalm, more than many others, teaches us how to respond to God when we face difficulties. David begins remembering God鈥檚 faithfulness in the past. Then he urges himself to hope in God based on the faith and belief he learned by experiencing God in days gone by.
He鈥檚 reminded that you can place your faith and trust in God even when you are in need. No matter what the situation may be, we should remember that we are not alone. When we remind ourselves to set our gaze on Jesus, He can remind us of what He has done for us before. And what He wants to do for us now.
If anyone knew what it felt like to be in the midst of turbulent times and seasons of uncertainty, it was David. The Lord had promised that one day he would become King of Israel. However, this promise did not immediately materialize.
In fact, he probably had moments when he wondered if it would ever come to pass. Sometimes, like David, we must wait a long time in order to actually see the fulfillment of God鈥檚 promises. David waited many heart-wrenching years before he claimed Israel鈥檚 throne.
However, even in the midst of these years of extreme trials and victories, he learned to trust God. 鈥淓ven in turbulent times, David was able to wait on God because he trusted God.鈥
But trust didn鈥檛 always come easily. In fact, there were times when David had to encourage himself. He had to remind himself to hold onto hope and revive his faith, based on what he remembered God had done for him in the past.
Right now, some of us may be waiting to see God鈥檚 deliverance or the fulfillment of His promise to us. As we do, let鈥檚 be patient and willing to wait for His perfect timing. Allow our souls to seek Him in all we do, just like the deer who pants for the water. In the end, we can promise ourselves that we won鈥檛 be disappointed. God knows exactly when we have learned all we need to know in order to take the next step forward in our walk of faith with Him.
David had to wait for it, but in the end, deliverance came to David. It will for us, too. And as we learn to wait on the Lord, we will have the opportunity to see the Lord come through for us as well.
Let God be the one who lifts our countenance!
Rev. Ronald O. Green is a retired area minister.
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