Honest Before God
Not just once, but twice, Psalm 42 asks the question, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” It also says, “My tears have been my food day and night. Why have you forgotten me?”
These emotions and questions are real. They are part of the human experience. Most of us have been there: feeling depressed, abandoned, heartsick. But I wonder how many of us have felt free to speak this pain to God. The beauty of the Psalm is that it holds nothing back. It invites us to be honest before God.
The Psalm ends, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God.”
The praise is not there yet, but there is light at the end. There is hope that God will act, that things will change and that we will get through this. One of the things that strikes me is that the pain has to be acknowledged before there is hope.
When your soul is downcast, may you be honest before God. In your honesty, in voicing your own pain, may you begin to get a glimpse of redeeming love.
Our prayer today is taken from Psalm 13. Notice again the shift from complaint to praise. Let us pray: How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! But, I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to you because you have dealt bountifully with me. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
