The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 42: 9-11 (5--22--20)

I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?" Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

This Psalm begins Book Two of the Psalter. In some Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 & 43 are joined into "one" long text. They do seem to treat of some of the real "lows" of life. Having been in several churches, I will assure you that quite a few of the followers of Jesus Christ do know what it is to struggle with spiritual depression and genuine feelings of discouragement. There may be wilderness times---dry times. John Bunyan touches on some of these periods in, "The Pilgrim's Progress." However, we are not alone. The Lord Jesus taught us that He is with His people always. We may not simply be able to flip a switch and change our feelings instantaneously---but we may begin to walk toward the Light of the Word and find the help and hope we need. Walk toward the Light today!

Remember: your feelings might tell you that God has forgotten you---but feelings are very deceiving. This is not what the Gospel teaches...

Remember: adversaries (the world opposed to God; the flesh opposed to the Spirit; the devil opposed to Christ and His people) may tell you God has no concern for you---this is not what the Gospel teaches...

Remember: followers of the Lord Jesus may really be cast down at times. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a medical doctor that the Lord called into the ministry. He produced a fine work on, "Spiritual Depression." He indicated some general causes for being cast down: being persistently accused, attacked and slandered. He went on to mention: temperament (some more inclined), adverse physical health, down reaction after some great blessing, attacks of Satan. He of course added simple unbelief. Of course, there are other reasons. Francois Fenelon hurt me terribly years ago when he said my real problem was, "wounded self-pity." We must be gracious and merciful with "cast down" souls---because we never know when we might be sunk ourselves...

Remember: as you look back through this Psalm---you'll see in verse 7, it is acknowledged that it is the LORD who is having all these "waves break" over the Psalmist. It is an incredible comfort to have a God-focused life. Your life is not ruled by circumstance, happenstance---or fat-chance. The God and Father of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ is doing what it takes to conform us to the image of His Son (go back to Roman 8). You are in His hands for the glory of His Name and the ultimate good of your soul.

Remember: as Spurgeon, Sibbes, Lloyd-Jones used to say, "you must take Scripture---and preach to yourself." From Lloyd-Jones: "You have to take yourself in hand, address yourself...question yourself. You must say to your soul: Why are you cast down---what business have you to be disquieted? You must turn on yourself...exhort yourself...say to yourself: Hope in God---instead of muttering in this unhappy way..."

Remember: praise is important---"I shall again praise him..." Move toward this as you are able. Be-- where it is done. Listen to music that will instill praise within your heart of hearts. As James Boice says, "He has lead me to uplifting victories in times past. He will do so again. Therefore, instead of looking at the past glumly as something I have lost, I will look to it as a foretaste of the many good things yet to come...it is not in us. It is in God..."

Remember: as William Bridge used to say, if God seems to have "left" you for some sin---Be humbled for that sin---and cast off that sin. Then Bridge adds, "Read much in God's Word, and so fill your mind with thoughts of Christ and with the blessed promises of God."

"Lord, I need to learn how to preach to my own heart, rather than just listening to its foolish or panicky chatter. Help me learn how to effectively say to my unruly inward being, 'Put your hope in God.'" Amen. Tim Keller

FIGHTING THE DAILY FIGHT---A PRAYER

Dear God, it is so hard for us to fight against ourselves.

It is very difficult to overcome an enemy that lies so close and hidden within us as our flesh does. And unless you arm me with divine power, I am in great danger of yielding to this treacherous foe.

Help me die daily to myself, I beg you. Do not let me be eternally separated by the attractions of the flesh from the life that is in Christ my Savior.

Preserve me this day in your fear and favor, and in the end bring me to your everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Robert Parker

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason