There are times when I have allowed myself to become discouraged over the trials and tribulations common to life in this fallen world. I do admit to some self-pity over all the lovely sights my blinded eyes are missing, and upon my own dependence upon others just to navigate about my darkened world. However, in Psalm 43, I believe there is much to encourage the soul! In this psalm, I believe we hear the voice of the faithful of Israel, who despite the trials posed by enemies around them, are longing for the vindication of the Lord, and for Him to guide them to safety and rest. I truly believe that the child of God of any generation can rejoice in the thoughts of verses 3 and 4: “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.”

In times of distress, do not our hearts call out to the Lord to send us His light and truth? In times of great extremity, the Lord will lead us to prayer and to His Word, which is blessed communion with Him. How wonderful it is to gather with our brethren on the Lord’s Day, with Christ in our midst, and with our hearts and lips full of praise and worship. We Christians must always remember that, though we walk in a fallen world, there is yet a day when we will hear that shout from above, and our Lord Jesus will return to the clouds to take us up to be forever with Himself!

Therefore, our hearts, whatever our lot, may well join the psalmist in crying out, “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” (v. 5).