I have to be pushed beyond my resources before I recognise my need. My soul cries for God but my body interprets the cry as – eat more comfort food, get emotional space, be entertained.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1-NIV)
In discouragement I need God above all. He is my lifeline.
I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42:2-NIV)
In discouragement God seems distant.
I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and 6 my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan… (Psalm 42:5-6-NIV)
In discouragement, there is one hope – my Saviour and God. The road begins when we choose to remember him, even with only the smallest trickle of encouragement as a spring on a barren mountain.
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. (Psalm 42:7-NIV)
Life’s trials sweep over us reinforcing the question, “Where is your God?”
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. (Psalm 42:8-NIV)
The Lord pours out his love, will I receive it? Will I acknowledge that he sent it? Will I rejoice with him that he sent me life? I must choose to receive salvation though I don’t feel like it.
For more detail – the original study