Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 42 – 6-12-20
Some of your Bibles may have “Book 2” written as a title over Psalms 42. There are 5 divisions or books in the 150 Chapters of Psalms, book 2 goes from Psalms 42 – Psalms 72. “One psalm in Book II is by Asaph (Ps. 50), 20 are by David (Pss. 51-70), 3 are anonymous (Pss. 43; 67; 71), and 1 is by Solomon (Ps. 72).”(The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Most theologians think the 5 books are divided like the 5 books of the Torah or Pentateuch. Originally it seems that Psalms 42-43 were one Psalm, but for our devotions today, we will view them separately.
I am sure there were many times when David was on the run, or when he was in exile from Absalom, he longed to be able to be in God’s presence and worship Him in His temple. This Psalm starts out with a popular worship song, As the Deer Panteth for the Water. I know that during this time of “Stay at Home” I have really longed for the opportunity to worship together with my congregation. There is nothing like being together with people who love the Lord and want to worship Him and know Him. We are still the Church the Body of Christ when we are separated as His Spirit lives within each of us. In the times of David and the Old Testament, God’s presence was known to be residing in the Holy of Holies and the nation of Israel was only supposed to worship Him corporately together in the Tabernacle or Temple. We are no longer confined to a place as His Spirit residing in every born again believer makes each and every one of us the temple of God. But I think this time for us has solidified my hearts longing to be together in one place with God’s children of like faith. I truly long to be in God’s presence, where one or two are gathered together to worship and receive His encouragement and strength.
Psalms 42:5-6, 11; 43:5 all repeat these words: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” No matter what physically separates us from God, know that we can put our trust in Him and we will know that He is there for us. May the discouragements of our enemies, the distance of location from other believers, or any situation that produces a sense of loneliness or desperation never take away our longing for the Lord and our trust in His presence, love and care for us. Romans 8:35-39, 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(NAS)
Father, give me this longing to seek You first with all my heart. I know that many things distract, discourage, and bring desperation into my life, but You alone are my Hope, my Strength, and my Shield. Thank You for reminding me that NOTHING can separate You and Your love from me. May I worship You with all my heart continually. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob