Psalm 42
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for You, O God." (Ps.42:1, NLT)
Right out of the gates the longing is stated.
The thirst.
The hunger.
He had tasted the JOY of the Lord. His thirst had been quenched at the bubbling fountains of God's presence.
He knew JOY.
But then, his heart broke. His enemies tormented. He became discouraged and sad. His hunger returned. His tears flowed.
The Psalmist lamented.
He longed for the days when he sang with other worshippers, and marched through streets, "singing for JOY and giving thanks - it was the sound of a great celebration!" (Ps.42:4, NLT)
I can see the smiling faces, the tambourines, the dancers. The happy hearts, making their way to the Lord's house. I can see flags waving as crowds walked along the way. I can see him, his countenance beaming. God had done a beautiful thing here. And His worshippers were filled with JOY.
At one point he celebrated. At one point he was in fine form. At one point he rejoiced.
But then ...
But did he lose hope?
Did he give up on God?
No.
He knew to keep praising.
He knew to remember the kindness of the Lord.
He recognized that God still loved him.
And every night, he sang. He sang God's songs and he prayed.
And even when he lived in the grip of darkness and despair, he held onto JOY.
He praised, regardless of the circumstances.
Did the trouble go away in that moment?
I don't think so.
But his JOY clung to him. He may not have felt it in the moment ~ in those moments of dark clouds. He may not have felt like celebrating through the streets. He probably spent a lot of time on his knees, his eyes puffy and red.
But he declared hope in the Lord. "I will put my hope in God!" A repeated profession.
"I will put my hope in God!" (vs.5,11)
Paul says, "Be joyful in hope ... " (Romans 12:12, NIV)
And hope does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5)
And, God, being the source of hope, will fill us with JOY as we trust in him. (Romans 15:13)
I think the Psalmist tapped into those truths.
Praise, even when life is tough.
Thank Him in the darkness.
Make a hope declaration.
Keep longing for God.
Hang on to JOY.
Good things for all of us to remember.
Lesson in the journey ... JOY and hope are good friends.
