Psalm 43: Soul Strengthening

​Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause  against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;  why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill  and to your dwelling!

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 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.
 
Meditation
God gives faith in the core of our being so our soul can sing in suffering and struggle.
 
The conclusion of today’s Psalm is a refrain cascading through Psalm 42 and 43: “Why are you cast down, O my soul… hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” (42:5, 11; 43:5) Faith fortifies God’s promises in our inner-being when the world is falling apart.
 
From a strengthened core within, the Psalmist empowers God’s people to look up to the Lord by offering lyrics for powerful petition: “Vindicate me!... Defend my cause!... Deliver me!” (1-2) The focus of our faith is God- He is our refuge. God alone sends light and truth (3). God will strengthen our soul as He bring serenity to our situations.
 
Questions abound- Why does it look like the perpetrators always win? Why do I feel rejected by both people and God (2-3)? God is big enough for our questions and frustrations. God welcomes our interrogations. But in His goodness, God does not leave us in limbo. God’s sovereign grace frees us from the prison of personal pain to praise with exceeding joy (4).
 
Christians know God gives faith to strengthen our soul with gospel hope because Jesus gave up His soul for us. Without defense and deliverance, the Light of the world was snuffed out in death so the light of His love could be ignited inside of believers, fueled with God’s promises when the world around us seems to grow darker and darker. God is our salvation! And our souls must hope in Him.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the cascading call for the Psalmist to hope in God, strengthening His soul with the promises of God?
 
-Why is it easier to allow the darkness to lead our soul to be downcast rather than strengthen our soul with faith God gives in the promises God assures?
 
-How does the finished work of Jesus give you security to fuel the light of hope in your heart, preaching the promises of God to your weary soul? Where (specifically) do you need to do this?
 
Key Verse
5 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.