Praying the Psalms: Psalm 43

Why so downcast, o my soul?

Why am I discouraged?

Because something that you made, that you thought was beautiful, just isn’t.

Because something that you thought was achievable? You’re just not going to hit the mark.

Because a relationships you hoped would bring only joy has a ribbon of sadness or anger or bitterness running through it.

Because a hope has been with you for such a long time, and God still hasn’t come through with an answer.

Or He has, and it turns out that even desperately desired things come at a price.

Whatever else the beginning of Genesis tells us, it tells us this: when God made the universe, it was perfect. ‘Excellent in every way’ is how the New Living Translation puts it. But since sin happened, in this post-Eden world? Nothing has ever been perfect. There’s no body, no face, no relationship, no theory, nothing thought or made or grown in this world that has ever been perfect. Everything is flawed, broken in some way. And if you think something is perfect right now? The passage of time will prove you wrong. To be constantly surrounded by stuff that is not quite right can be an awfully discouraging thing.

Did I say that everything is flawed? Let me clarify; everything created is flawed. The Creator is flawless. There is one perfect, holy Being, and He’s the place to turn when discouragement sets in. He never tires, never breaks, never says the wrong thing, never forgets you, never leaves. This is my experience – that the source of all joy truly is our God. That when it feels like your hope has been crushed to a paste, you can put it in His hands and He remakes it – gives it form and life and breath, the Genesis creation all over again.

Thank you Father; that You guide us ‘til we find You.

– Karyn Lochore