“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul for you O God. My soul thirsts for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God. My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” Psalm 42:1-3 (NKJV)

The question raised in our subject as well as our devotional text is not at all rhetorical. This is to say that it is not posed for its persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply. In that case it would be similar to the question raised by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:35a, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” The answer for those who believe is known without giving a verbal response. No one and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. These questions are often asked in this manner in order to provoke our thought processes and as a way of reminding us concerning the power, holiness, and blessings of God that we often take for granted. The question in our text is not raised by the believer but by the heathen or the ungodly. It is a taunt, a mocking, or perhaps more like an “aha I told you so.” It is birthed in the same accusatory spirit of Job’s so called friends. “If you were pure and upright, surely now He would awake for you, and prosper your rightful dwelling place.” Job 8:6 (NKJV)

The psalmist is debatably unknown. His writing can possibly be attributed to several authors. However, there is no doubt that he is clearly in distress. His soul pants for God as the deer pants for the water brooks. His soul thirsts for God, and his tears have almost become edible as they stream down his face all night and all day long. While the psalmist is obviously weak, worn, and weary, “they” question the whereabouts of his and our God. Interestingly he doesn’t waste time trying to name who “they” are and neither should we. They don’t rise to a sufficient level of importance if they have the audacity to call our God into question. “They,” could be family, friends, foes, or fools who in their heart declare that there is no God. True believers never have to answer this question. God doesn’t need us to defend him, and if you really trust Him, we owe no one an explanation. God is where He has always been. He is on the throne of the universe, fully in control, fully in charge, and fully orchestrating the affairs of His creation. Most importantly, He lives in the hearts of those that He calls His own.

So how do we respond to the foolishness and the folly of those who tease and mock at our distress and misfortunes? “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42:5b (NKJV) Here the idea is that of a sacred trust coupled with the unyielding expectation that no matter the state of affairs, the God of our salvation will always come through for us. Well, how do you know He is going to come through? Good question. The psalmist provides us the answer. “O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hill Mizar.” Now is the time to remember and reminisce about what God has already done. Remembering in ancient Israel was a major aspect of proper worship, as it is today. We remember the fact that God has never ever forgotten us.

God is the subject of the question but He is also the reality of the answer. You may not see Him but He is there. You may not necessarily feel Him but He is there. You may not quite understand what He is up to but trust Him. It may seem as though you can’t wait another day. He is on the way. You say that He should have arrived by now. He has. The timing of His manifestation is perfect and true. There is only one thing left to do. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God. For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11 (NKJV)