March 3, 2017
AN "UNASKABLE" QUESTION OR AN UNLIMITED RELATIONSHIP?
Psalm 43
Micah Apolzon
Central Truth
God wants us to draw near to Him, so cry out to Him. His love for us is great, and His provision never fails.
Key Verse | Psalm 43:5
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.
(Psalm 43:5)
Psalm 43
Send Out Your Light and Your Truth
1
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2
For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5
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.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 43
Someone once told me never to ask God, "Why?" My response, of course, was, "Why?" If I am to be in relationship with God (which I am), the maker of heaven and earth, how can I do so with limitations on how I talk to Him? I understand there are differences in motive. You can ask why for many reasons. Coming to our Lord with pride and disrespect will likely get us nowhere. But if I ask God "why" out of a desire to know Him and His will, then “why?” can be a beautiful question.
In Psalm 43, as in many others, the author cries out to the Lord in pain and confusion asking, “Why?” He longs for God to “send out [His] light and [His] truth” (verse 3a). He knows that guidance and wisdom from above can help him better understand his situation. However, take note the author doesn’t sit and wallow in his pain. In verse 5, he turns His eyes to God, knowing he will receive all the hope and understanding he needs from God.
Proverbs 4:7 says, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” On this same note, we know through James 1:5 that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Our God loves us in an unimaginable way. He wants us to draw near to Him any way we can. We are called to devote ourselves daily to Scripture reading and prayer. When we do so, He promises to give us the wisdom and understanding we need when we ask.
He never promised everything would be easy. But praise Him that He did promise He would never abandon us. He will provide us with what we need, even when we ask “why.”
Discussion Questions
1. What restrictions have you put on your relationship with God? Looking at Scripture, which of those, if any, should remain?
2. Think back on a time you cried out “Why?” to God. What was your motivation? How did He respond? Spend time in other psalms learning about others who asked God "why" and how He responded to them.
3. Where else in Scripture does God make promises to you for wisdom and understanding? Meditate on these verses today. As you seek understanding in your current situation, try turning to God first in prayer. Ask Him to provide the wisdom you need.