*This Advent season of 2023, my family will go through the Psalms. It is our hope that this Advent series will center around the themes of Longing, Deliverance and Hope. We will see the beauty of Christ and God’s sovereign plan in the birth and salvation of Christ. I invite you to join us this Christmas.
December 8, 2023
Christmas time is often thought to be a happy time. Afterall, there are gifts given, endless parties, immaculate decorations and let’s not even talk about all the sweets and good food. But then sometimes it isn’t…
Let’s be real for a second. Sometimes, Christmas brings about a depressed spirit. Our world is in so much conflict. We have very gruesome wars going on right now. Back here in the US, tensions are at an all time high with the lack of kindness, mercy, grace, fill-in-the-blank being shown to one another. Times are hard and not always in a financial sense. People are hurting. Sometimes our soul is just not well.
This is where we find the Psalmist today in Psalm 42:
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?[b]
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
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.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
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.
The writer’s soul is in anguish or despair. He finds himself in “turmoil.” He finds his soul raging like the sea (vs. 7). There is no peace, no sense of God’s presence, no joy and no rest. But then he does something, he asks “Why?”
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
“The Bible is filled with stories of men like David, Elijah, and Jeremiah who seemed to be more naturally disposed to fall into dark feelings,” J. Josh Smith said.” Church history tells of men like Martin Luther, William Cowper and Charles Spurgeon who felt emotional struggles…The point is, our souls are not always well, and there can be many understandable and legitimate reasons for this. Life is hard, and things often pile up and snowball on us.”
Then he (Elijah) was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:3-4
Christmas time can be one of these times where you feel like this Psalmist. We, too, must listen to the Psalmist and “Hope in God.” That is the beauty of the Christmas story. God gave us a Hope and salvation through the birth of Jesus. We must realize we are not alone when we feel this way and know that the God of the universe loved us so much that he sent his son as a baby to die in our place so we can have everlasting joy and peace.
WE may not feel joy or peace this Christmas season. Please know you are not alone and reach out to loved ones for help. But also, know God longs to be in communion with you! The story of a baby being born in a manger is a story of peace and counsel! It is the story of Emmanuel-”God With Us.” Let’s not forget these truths when our soul is unwell.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7
Prayer
Father God-you are the great healer, wonderful counselor, mighty God and Prince of Peace. Thank you for loving us unconditionally and offering a saving grace and companionship. Thank you for Christmas. I pray for all the hurt around us and ask for your healing power to be present! Father, thank you for the Emmanuel! Amen
