Jeff Adams

You’ve felt that way, right? You’re not weird. This is a common human condition. I was reading in Psalms this morning and came to these very familiar words that have been the object of much meditation and the source of much consolation.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalm 42:1-4

We all pass through times of spiritual drought and depression. I find it comforting to see that the Bible is faithful to record this human tendency and not suggest that something is terribly wrong with me if I find myself in this condition. Instead, the Bible is open, honest and gives me the instruction I need when I go through these dry times. This is not a psalm of David, by the way, but of the sons of Korah.

In the midst of horrible drought an oasis awaits us to face our condition and resolutely determine to put our trust in God. This oasis is found in the psalm’s chorus in verse five.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5

The chorus is repeated in essence at the end of the psalm in verse eleven with one significant difference.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11

The psalmist fearlessly faces his fears and desperation by asking himself “Why? Why am I so anxious and panicky?” He instead makes the conscious decision to place his hope in God over circumstances and feelings. In verse five the psalmist praises God for the help of his countenance.

The word countenance literally points to one’s face, but encompasses our soul and spirit that radiates through our face outward toward others. You can almost always tell when a close friend has a sad countenance or a joyous countenance. The psalmist found help by basking in the presence of God’s countenance.

Yet in verse eleven, it is this intentional trust in God that in turn transforms the countenance of the psalmist. When we are dry, thirsty for God and depressed, we can find hope in God, such hope that it is capable of even transforming our countenance.

Psalm 43 is a companion psalm of Psalm 42. The final verse of this psalm is a repetition of this same chorus praising God for restoring the life and brightness to his countenance.

But how does this happen? What does one do? How do we take the first step? The first step is to remember those sweet times of victory and blessing. Look at the word remember in verses four and here in verse six.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Psalm 42:6

Can you remember two or three significant times in your life journey when God’s presence has been amazingly real to you? What are those moments when God came through for you in a supernatural way? Stop and remember those times. That’s where hope becomes more than a word.

Psalm 43 gives us the next step.

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Psalm 43:3

We decide to remember the times of God’s blessing and provision. Then, we pray for God to send out his light and truth for guidance on our journey. Today, we find that light and truth in the scriptures.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

What is your commitment to let God speak to you through his scriptures? Are you sitting under the preaching and teaching of God’s word? Have you been through systematic studies of the Bible such as the Directions study?

There is one more final step you can take to restore the health of your countenance. You can go on vacation. And that, my friends, is exactly what Cheryl and I going to do tomorrow. We’ll be checking in from time to time.