Psalm 43

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 43

On the Harp I will Praise You, O God, My God

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; for You are the God of my strength; why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 43, NKJV

When reading Psalms such as this, do you see the danger in telling Christians that they have the abundant life and will be happy all the time? Yes, they have the abundant life, but they are not always happy. As a matter of fact, most of the Psalms are spent agonizing over our sin and/or the sensible lack of God's presence.

Yes, God is always with us; but that doesn't mean we always feel that presence! It's much easier to feel like a Christian when everything is going great in our lives. However, our faith is tested and grows during the difficult times when God seems far off.

This Psalmist did some serious talking to himself! (No, he wasn't crazy.) He told himself to hope in God and praise Him alone who was the help of his countenance and his God. That is a picture of true faith in the Lord. Even when the days are dark and grim, praise God who alone is your help and strength. It may not change your situation, but God will grant you a great peace as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Pray today that your heart and soul will be lifted up in praise to God no matter what the day brings to you.

Next: Psalm 44, In God We Boast All Day Long

More Devotions on the 43rd Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions

Send the Light, verses 1-3

Hope in God, verses 4-5