Songs in the night

I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:7-11

There are times in the life of a believer that there seemed to be an avalanche of trials and difficulties. It is during those times that it seemed to be difficult to rise from pain and sorrow. This is what the Psalmist was going through when he felt that he was under the raging seas and swept under the surging tides because of the troubles he was going through. Yet, he found comfort in calling out to God in prayer. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior” (Psalm 42:5). He recalled in his mind the joy he experienced being in the presence of the Lord. While in the temple, he was surrounded by people rejoicing for they were celebrating God’s faithfulness. Now that he was far from the temple and was being persecuted by his enemies, he felt alienated from the presence of God. His enemies taunted him with the question, “Where is this God of yours?” But he found it quieting and refreshing to remember that God was always with Him. His memory of God’s lovingkindness strengthened his faith and helped him to continue to trust God and be hopeful in Him. God poured out His lovingkindness to him each day so there is no reason to be distressed and give up for it is God who gives him life even in times of trials. Knowing and believing this truth always bring him to think that God’s presence is with him. After the Last Supper in the upper room, the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples sang a psalm even when they anticipated the night when He would be betrayed and arrested. “Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives” (Mark 14:26). There will be times that our spirits are cast down because of the difficulties we are facing, but when we realize that we can call out to God and that we can trust Him, then we can hang on and still have a song of praise. This is God’s promise to us: “You will have songs as in the night... And the Lord will cause His voice of authority to be heard” (Isaiah 30:29-30).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com