IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Why Are You Downcast? Hope in God

Date: Jul. 1, 2021

Passage

Psalm 42:1-11 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

  As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
  My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
  When shall I come and appear before God?
  My tears have been my food
    day and night,
  while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”
  These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
  how I would go with the throng
    and lead them in procession to the house of God
  with glad shouts and songs of praise,
    a multitude keeping festival.
  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.
  My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
  from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
  Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
  all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
  By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
  I say to God, my rock:
    “Why have you forgotten me?
  Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10   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?”
11   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.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 42:11

  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.

First, yearning for God (1-5). The psalmist pants for fellowship with the living God like a thirsty deer pants for streams of water. Due to enemy hindrance and taunts, he has no opportunity to enter the house of God. However, the psalmist recalls the Mighty One’s protection and joyful shouts of praise among worshipers. He spoke to his downcast, disturbed soul to put his hope in God. He would instead praise God—his Savior and God. What a beautiful longing for God!

Second, the LORD directs his love (6-11). Though he was depressed, he resolved to remember God. The LORD’s love, a song at night, and a prayer sustained him (8). Still, he felt forgotten by God his Rock since enemies oppressed and taunted him, saying, “Where is your God?” (3,10). To battle his downcast, disturbed feelings again, he told his soul to have hope in God and to praise God his Savior. We, too, when we are feeling down or depressed or attacked, must put our hope in God and praise our Savior.

Prayer: Prayer: O LORD my God, you are my Savior. When I’m feeling down or oppressed or attacked, remind me to put my hope in you and praise you. In Jesus’ name.

One Word: One Word: Put your hope in God and praise him!

Daily Bread

From Adam to David

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:55

Key Verse: 1:2:9

Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared;

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Intro Daily