What do you do, where do you go, and whom do you turn to when you feel attacked, betrayed, or you are just overwhelmed?   Psalm 43 begins as a cry to God asking for help in such a troubled time, “where are you God when the wicked surround me?” (Psalm 43:1).   Let’s dive into this Psalm, and see how it can help us as we move from depression and fear, to praise and worship.

Sometimes when we have troubles, it is easy for us to say, “God, why do You seem so distant from me?”  (Psalm 43:2).  No doubt we have all felt this way as we wonder why God is not acting the way we would expect him to act.  Of course, we need to remember that God is God, and we are not.  He is not a genie whom we control, and if we did control God, as so many wish they could, then that god would certainly be pathetic and unworthy of praise.

So now we get to the good part, as the author realizes how small he is, and how much he truly needs God’s help.  Here he prays, “God, I need to be led by Your light and truth. . . Let them lead me.” (Psalm 43:3).  This is a prayer of obedience, saying I want to be led by you!  And where do I want your light to lead me?   In the words of the Psalm: “Let your light bring me to your tabernacle.”  This means I want to follow your will, and your way – which is saying lead me to a place where I can focus on you, God.

And then, it gets even better as the Psalmist says, when I am at your altar. . . In other words, when I am in your presence, I will praise you.  I will praise with singing and music because you are my God, my God of exceeding joy!

What an amazing prayer we have seen in this Psalm as the author acknowledges his feelings of despair and his need for God.  Then he cries out of his need for God’s light to lead him out of this despair and back into praise with God.  Imagine how life would be if we all cried out to God like this!   If we looked to follow God’s light in all we do.  Perhaps you have a story of how God’s light has led you out of darkness.  Your story could bless so many others if you could please share it in the comments section.

And the best part of following God’s light is the conclusion – even though his circumstances have not changed – the writer’s outlook and attitude has changed.  Even though the darkness still surrounds him, he is looking at God’s light and following its way.  No wonder the last verse says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me?  Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm43:5).  When we put our hope in God, and not ourselves, we too can know in the very end, we will praise our God and savior.  It’s truly the only place to be.

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