By Rev. Dr. Drew Goodman P
salms 42–43 illustrate the experience of a believer who faces dark trials and spiritual distress. In the north, probably due to exile, the psalmist pines for the presence of God. In former times he drew near to the Lord in the tabernacle with all the saints. His sense of distance from God and the absence of outward signs of his favor weighs heavily upon his soul. The cruel taunts of We can trace connections from the psalmist’s experience to our own. Per- haps there was a time when you longed to experience closeness to God, but He seemed distant and unreachable (42:2). Because God delays, has he forgotten you (42:9)? You faithfully call to the Lord to restore former blessings and defend your cause, but God seems silent and unmoving. Meanwhile, harmful enemies act and speak contrary to truth and justice (42:5–43:2).
However much a situation deteriorates or how unsettled our hearts become, persevering faith battles for victory against the natural response to losing heart. Despite being brought low, he was assured of the Lord’s steadfast love (Ps 42:8). He nursed a wounded but enduring faith that God no more abandons his people than he abandons his promise. He no more forsakes his people than his own di- vine character. Because God will do what is right, the Lord will hear his lament and respond to his plea. The refrain expresses this hope: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Ps 42:5, 11; 43:5). In Psalm 43:3–4, the psalmist lays hold of this hope in three ways. First, he
calls upon God (43:3a). Second, he commits himself to God (43:3b). Third, he com- munes with God (43:4)
Calling on God (43:3a).
calls to God. We may speak much about God, but do we speak much with God? The everlasting arms of God are strong enough to bear you as well as your burdens. J. C. Ryle wrote, “The worse you are, the more need you have to apply to him.” The greater the malady, the more glory there is for the Physician who cures. Great sin and great pain are reasons for great prayers. The natural man does not pray, but God commands his children and attaches his promise: “call to me and I will answer you” (Jer. 33:3). Our right to the throne of grace came at a great cost; let us make good use of it! Note also what the author calls for, namely, deliverance. The Psalmist asks God to send out “your light and your truth.” William Plumber understood “light” as a reference to God’s favor which is expressed in acts of deliverance. “Truth” refers to the promise of God’s covenant, by which he bound himself to act faith- fully in steadfast love. While we may distinguish “light” and “truth,” Augustine rightly saw that light and truth both refer to Jesus Christ as the Savior whom God appointed to lead us by his redemption into everlasting fellowship.
Committing to God (43:3b).
“Let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” Though not the only use, the term “lead” describes God’s guidance of Israel 19; cf. Deut. 32:12). God’s past guidance is a pattern for how he will guide in the future (Isa. 57:18; 58:11; Ps 78:14). Because Christ leads the way, we are assured that God is committed to us. In response, the psalmist expresses commitment to obediently follow God. He is committed to the precepts of God’s truth. “At one God has been known to lead through unpassable seas and inhospitable wil- dernesses! God may lead us through sickness, discomfort, need, distress, dis- appointment, and opposition. He does not promise a painless life, but he does
July/August 2022
promise victory. When we are com- mitted to Christ, there is nothing for it but to soldier on with a faithful heart full of joy and peace (Rom 15:13).
Communing with God (43:4). feet in the house of God with “con- the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). The psalmist is assured that salvation’s “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” The chief end of man is the chief end of our salvation. Calvin notes, “although he had been deprived of his wife, spoiled of his goods, his house, and all his other earthly com- forts, yet he always felt such an ardent desire to come to the temple, that he forgot almost everything else.” His return would bring comforts, but Zion would be no better than exile if God did not show his face there. Like- wise, “heaven is not heaven without Christ. It is better to be in any place with Christ than to be in heaven itself without him … the joys of heaven are not the joys of heaven without Christ; he is the very heaven of heaven” (Richard Sibbes). These simple words contain all our hope: “they will see his face” (Rev 22:4).
Is God your exceeding joy? Be as-
sured that dark moments and dis- tressing feelings can never separate you from the one who loved you to the end (John 13:1). In Christ’s darkest episode, He was bound to us forever. If sin is canceled and death cannot separate us, what can life do? Burdens in life add weight to glory: “For this - ing us for an eternal weight of glory” will advance to victory as we follow the pillars of Christ’s light and truth.
Dr. Drew Goodman serves as a World Witness missionary at Christ Church Presbyterian in Barry, Wales. Drew and Lauren Goodman have four children who enjoy soccer, golf, music, and the seaside in Wales.
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