Remember God is present

By Dean Collins

I have a 10-year-old grandson who is an avid outdoorsman. If it has to do with hunting, fishing, or trapping wildlife, he wants to know all about it and participate actively in the hunt. My wife and I are blessed to live in the country on a few acres, and lucky for my grandson, my neighbors own a few hundred acres that surround our property. So we have lots of woods to explore.

 A few weeks ago, my grandson asked if we could take a hike in the woods in between deer and turkey hunting season, so we set out last Saturday for our adventure. He, of course, had to explain to us that every year bucks shed their antlers, and his goal was to find a deer shed.  

God will meet our needs 

The night before and the morning of our big adventure, Charlie would ask me, “Do you think we will find a deer shed?” Next question: “What do you think our chances are of finding a deer shed?” He repeated these questions a few times as we entered the woods. We had seen a large buck a few weeks ago at the edge of the woods behind our house, and he was convinced we might find his shed. I wasn’t optimistic, but I didn’t want to spoil the adventure. When asked the last time about finding one I said, “Charlie, finding this shed is a little like finding a needle in a haystack, but I am sure we will have a great adventure.”

 About a half mile into our hike, we came to a creek and decided to follow it, assuming that since deer need water they would likely be walking by and through the creek. I have been reading Psalm 42 several times this year. Walking in the woods looking for deer sheds brought me back to this psalm today. Especially the opening phrase:

 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”

 On our hike we saw lots of worn paths by the stream. We have had a lot of rain this winter, so the creek is filled with water. Any deer in the woods behind our house currently isn’t having to pant for water. It is there in abundance. But some years we have experienced drought. My guess is the deer in those years do a lot of panting as they travel through the woods in need of water.

 I believe the psalmist wrote Psalm 42 in a season of struggle. He compared himself to the deer panting for water and said, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”. He went on to say that his tears have been his food both day and night. Sometimes in seasons of difficulty it is difficult to see past our situation and realize that God is present.  Our illness, our pain, our fractured relationship, our confusion over navigating the future blocks our view of what God is doing. It sometimes leads us to wonder if or when He will hear our prayers and meet our needs.

Don’t forget what God has done in the past 

The psalmist gives us a path forward during times of drought. His path forward in prayer was to remember what God had done in the past. Consider David’s words of remembrance as he resurrected his spiritual memories. 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.”

“I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.”

 The psalmist remembered the joy of leading others to worship with songs of praise. He also remembered specific times and places where God’s presence and provision overflowed.

 The psalmist also spoke spiritual truth to his soul.  The mind will play tricks on us when we are going through hard times. It is important to speak scripture to ourselves so that we correct our thinking and remember God’s promises. Here are some of the words the psalmist used in this process:

 “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.”

“By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me.”

“At night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”

 The psalmist was pursued by his enemies, and they appeared to be taking ground on him. Sometimes our enemies seem to have the upper hand as well. It might be someone who is opposed to you and wants to harm you. Or it might be the enemy of God who tempts and seeks to torment you in some way. Or it might be sickness or some other suffering that happens in this fallen world that waits as we do for our full restoration.

 The psalmist ends this psalm with a question to himself and a declaration of praise:

 “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.”

 That day in the woods with Charlie, there didn’t appear to be any deer panting for water. And Charlie got a lot of treasures, including the skull of a deer with a 7-point rack. He was overwhelmed with joy at his discoveries. I am pretty sure that when we lean in with all our heart, seeking the living water and the living hope that comes from Christ alone, we too will have all our needs met, and we too will be filled with hope and joy in what God has done for us once again.

 Lord, we praise you and thank you for all your provision. Today, even in seasons of challenge, we long for you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Go before us, walk beside us, and follow us today, that we might know the refreshing touch of your hand upon us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 42:1-11 ESV

Photo by Dirk Schuneman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/deer-on-riverside-9720516/
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
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