Desperate for God

As we look across the landscape of our nation today, are we desperate for God? Is He the place where we look for our answers exclusively? Is He the solution to anything that burdens our soul? Are we leaning upon Him alone for our sustenance and provision? Are we trusting in His word and His will? The answer to me is obvious; no we are not. We look to political, or economic, or self-improvement, believing we can solve the problems in our lives. What we lack is a true desperation for God in our lives. We live in the most blessed, prosperous, affluent nation in the history of planet earth and so we are self sufficient. What we need is the attitude of the psalmist in Psalm 42:1-5. Does this describe us?

Spiritual Desperation

Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, 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?"

The psalmist here is in a desperate place. He compares himself to a deer being hunted, out of breath, scorched with thirst, fleeing from danger, and in verse 2 he cries out to God. But notice something here; the psalmist checks himself. He does not cry out to just God, but to the Living God. The One True God. The only One who can answer his plea of desperation. He longs to appear before God in the temple, have his sins cleansed and forgiven. He thirsts for the Living Water, the word, and the safety of God's protection and provision. Does this describe us? On any given Sunday only 20% of the population of the United States is in a Christian church.

Spiritual Embarrassment

Psalm 42:3, "My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, where is your God?

Have you ever been in a place before God where your only answer was to bitterly weep? Peter knew this, after he denied Christ for the third time. These are tears of repentance. The psalmist hears the cry of the world; Hebrew! Where is your God! Your God! Who calls you His chosen people, yet continually has to discipline you because of disobedience and idolatry. Your God! Who has you taken into captivity and slavery, as you have not followed Him and His Law.

Is the cry not the same today; Church! Where is your God? Your God! Who created humanity in His image, yet your nation kills the unborn in the millions every year. Your God! Who says that divorce apart from adultery is sin, yet the church has as high a divorce rate as the world. Your God! Who gave you His completed word the bible, the word in the flesh Jesus Christ, yet false teachings are not only tolerated but often embraced in the name of unity. Your God! Who says "I alone am God", yet we are a nation and people of idols. Where is He! Why does He not show Himself! Where is His power and strength! His righteousness and goodness! Does this describe us? Are we as ashamed as the psalmist regarding God's lack of apparent power due to His dead and lukewarm body and our darkened nation?

Spiritual Nostalgia

Psalm 42:4, "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast."

The psalmist longs for the day when God's people and His nation followed Him in joy and obedience. His soul is poured out with the desire to see a return to these days. Is ours? Do we sincerely long for the days when America was undoubtedly a Christian nation? Founded upon the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and His Son Jesus Christ. When one's social life revolved around fellow believers who surrounded us. When going to church was the norm, instead of the exception. When God was preeminent in our lives? Do we want a return to those days?

Spiritual Hope

Psalm 42:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him! For the help of His countenance."

The psalmist has turned to the only place he could, and thus, the desperation is turned to hope. He knows that with God, "all things are possible." He knows, God's will, will be done. Doubt has become confidence, and helplessness, hope. Does this describe us? If we as God's church are to impact our nation in a true return to God, let us ask 4 questions from these verses:

v.1-2: Are we willing to acknowledge before God that we are helpless without Him, and turn from our sin and idols, recognizing Jesus Christ as the only answer?

v. 3: Are we willing to acknowledge that the only thing standing between a true movement of God is us, through our disobedience, sin and compromise?

v. 4: Do we long for the days when God was lifted up as the foundation for our beliefs, and we were unashamed, steadfastly proclaiming Him and Him only?

v. 5: Are we willing to place our hope in the blessed hope, Jesus Christ, and only Him?

Do we truly desire a heaven sent revival? Or are our hearts hardened due to self sufficiency and selfishness? Let us heed the words of psalmist. Let us be desperate for Jesus knowing confidently He is the answer to every problem we and our nation face.