Psalm 42

Scripture

Psalm 42:1-2

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

 

Observation

This psalmist paints a vivid picture of longing for the Presence fo God. They further their point by using an analogy to describe their eagerness to meet with God.

 

Understanding

Picture this with me: you’ve just completed a pretty intense game of basketball with a friend. It was close but you won. As your adrenaline begins to fade to come to the startling realization that you are thirsty, so like any other person you go to your fridge to see what you have. Much to your dismay their is nothing that will satisfy the thirst that you have. There’s no water, no gatorade, not even a soda. You’d probably go through great lengths to get your thirst quenched, right? Because nothing for the present time, and in your fridge, can satisfy.

I think this is the exact state that we find ourselves spiritually right now. However, the only difference is we have turned to other things to quench our thirst. Things that only distract and momentarily take away the dry sensation on your tongue, but don’t truly satisfy. I think the reason that these verses really struck me was because my soul yearns for a drink of Living Water. I’ll be honest, I’ve settled during this time too because I feel “too tired” to pursue what my soul desires. I want these verses to be my cry every waking moment of every single day for me. I want to constantly desire communion with the Creator, but it starts with an inward decision not to settle but to actively chase the one that will satisfy.

 

Life Application

Recently, I have been fasting something once every week, and I want to challenge you all to do the same. I guarantee that your soul will get a little hydration if it’s feeling dehydrated like mine. And please, make these verses the cry of your heart too.

“As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after You

You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You”

-Allison Khan

Psalm 41

Scripture “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— He does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” -Psalms 41:1-3 NIV Observation-What does it say?  

This is a Psalm of Comfort, written by King David.

 

 

Understanding-What does it mean?  

Comfort and Deliverance comes from God alone.

 

 

Life Application  Run to the One True Source of Comfort.  Does anyone need any comfort right now? I feel like all of us can or did at one point or another in the last 3 and a half months and into the present. Let's be like King David and run to God, our ever present help in trouble and our only true Source of comfort. -Michelle Gaddi

Psalm_40

 Scripture:Psalm 40:1-3I waited patiently for the Lord;    he turned to me and heard my cry.² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,    out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rock    and gave me a firm place to stand.³ He put a new song in my mouth,    a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear the Lord    and put their trust in him. Observation:Doubts and fears about the eternal state, are a horrible pit and miry clay, and have been so to many a dear child of God. There is power enough in God to help the weakest, and grace enough to help the unworthiest of all that trust in him. The psalmist waited patiently; he continued believing, hoping, and praying. This is applicable to Christ. His agony, in the garden and on the cross, was a horrible pit and miry clay. But those that wait patiently for God do not wait in vain. Those that have been under religious melancholy, and by the grace of God have been relieved, may apply verse 2 very feelingly to themselves; they are brought up out of a horrible pit. Christ is the Rock on which a poor soul can alone stand fast. Where God has given steadfast hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk and conduct. God filled the psalmist with joy, as well as peace in believing. Multitudes, by faith beholding the sufferings and glory of Christ, have learned to fear the justice and trust in the mercy of God through Him. Many are the benefits with which we are daily loaded, both by the providence and by the grace of God.https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=19&c=40

 

Understanding:I love the picture of God putting our feet on a rock – solid ground.  When things seem uncertain, crazy, scary…God is (has always been, continues to be and will always be) able to place us on solid ground. He puts a new song, new words, new heart inside of us…and, because of that, those that haven’t experienced this but see it, are drawn to it and potentially transformed by it.  Life Application: Keep that “new song” ever present on our lips by actively choosing gratitude.  You can do something simple like taking a few minutes each day – at the beginning or end – to think of 3 things your grateful for…recognizing God as the source of all good things.Other ideas for incorporating gratitude can be found here…https://daringtolivefully.com/gratitude-exercisesRei