Where Is Your God?

We saw last Sunday that this psalm, together with Psalm 42, was originally part of one long prayer. The psalmist’s cry to God to rescue and vindicate him (judge in his favor) now comes to the foreground (1). Implied in his words are the searing questions “Why me?” “What have I done to deserve this?” This is an all too common, human cry most vividly seen in Job’s questioning to God (Job. 7:17-21). But just as God did not condemn Job for questioning, neither does the psalmist expect anything less than the vindication for which he pleads and for which he expects to give God praise (4).

We can also hear these beautiful and moving poems of reflection and questioning as somewhat like journal entries that Joseph, for example, might have written at turning points in his life; the hatred of his brothers, the darkness of the pit, the loneliness of Egypt, the rage of Potiphar, and the cupbearer’s forgetfulness. Can’t we imagine Joseph pouring out his memories of the tears (42:3), the depression and grief (42:5,9,11) and outrage against people’s perfidy (43:1)? And can’t we imagine the comfort of recalling those many times when he could “yet praise him” (42:5), the God of his life, the God of steadfast love (42:8)?

Scripture is faithful in refusing to record the life of faith as a flawless performance; it is also faithful in providing us with models for prayer in all circumstances.

If you are in the midst of difficulties, use this psalm as an encouragement and guidance for you, and your prayers.