Where are You God? (2)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

So why are we so are we so caught off guard when things happen and yes I am right there with you;

What do we do in these times of “tribulation” meaning what’s your go to;

Now before we can understand this Psalm we need to know who is the author - the Sons of Korah - they are form the tribe of Levi which means they were set apart for service in the tabernacle and then the temple;

So they served Yahweh in the tabernacle yet they too suffered with feeling God’s presence;

Have you ever been extremely thirsty - as we commonly put it dying of thirst;

That is how the author describes his desire for God like a deer that is searching for water - knowing it (water) is needed for life;

Joshua 3:10 NKJV

10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites:

Are you seeking God in this fashion - as the living water even in the midst of tears (v. 3) and even when people may say “Where is your God?”;

Now when people ask “Where is your God?” it does not help situations but does it pull you closer to God;

For the author of this Psalm it did open his memory to his worship of God in the temple - house of God;

Are you drawn to God’s house in times of spiritual thirst?

Despair (v. 5 - 7)

Do you ever wonder why - because at the root of why lies the answer to almost everything - the issue is we typically do seek the answer to why;

So why is an adverb meaning “for what reason or purpose” based on the Concise Oxford English Dictionary;

Here we find the psalmist asking a couple of questions in v. 5 “Why are you cast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?”

If we know troubles come and go John 16:33 then why, self very much included, do we let them steal our joy and yes even quiet the Holy Spirit in our hearts;

During these times the psalmist knew where to turn - “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him...”

Are you able to praise even in the stormy season or only in the beauty of life;

Now this may not always ease your “Despair” because in these times we can feel that God is far away;

We can feel like we are lost in the middle of storm in the middle of the ocean wondering we will be covered for the last time by the waves;

How ease is it to seek God when you are drowning?

Hope (v. 8)

How are is it to wait on something - especially during troubled times;

In our society we expect things to happen fast - from food to websites if there is any delay we move on;

And sadly this can move into our spiritual lives - if God does not answer now then He is not going to answer so I need to fix this myself;

But God should not be treated as fast food but rather as our everlasting bread of life;

Romans 15:13 ESV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Now I know what you are going to say to my next comment, “that’s easier said than done” - so what is the comment what if we exercised our hope in Christ;

Do you believe in God’s lovingkindness?

Request (v. 9-11)

Have you ever asked this same question “Why have You forgotten me?” to God;

It can be a natural response when we are struggling to go from a I know God is in my storm with me to a where is God, doesn’t He know I am in a storm;

While the psalmist is asking the same question again, “Why have You forgotten me?” notice how he identifies God - “ I will say to God my rock...”

How do you truly see God in your life;

Do you see Him as your rock in the middle of everything or just on the mountain tops;

Notice that the psalmist is staying focused on God - as a matter of fact he references God 24 times in these 11 verses even during doubt;

Then the psalmist closes with hope and praise;

How are you closing your day?

Application Point: Our map will point us to our most desired destination. Is that destination God himself? Our hunger for God will both set the direction and fuel us along the way.

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