Turmoil to Tranquility

Psalm 43

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.

- It has been noted that Psalm 43 seems like a continuation of Psalm 42 almost like an addendum to it. The Psalmist is definitely struggling, he desires that GOD judge and punish the ungodly people and deliver him. Someone once said if GOD chose to get rid of all the evil in the world at the stroke of midnight would any of us still be here at one second after twelve? Romans 3:23 us - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Could GOD's silence towards the Psalmist's request actually be mercy in disguise because GOD in answering that prayer he would also have to vindicate someone else and punish the Psalmist for his sin against them.

- Verse two reminds us our enemy is indeed oppressing us, but that was our choice to give the Devil authority over us through death and now GOD in Jesus is working his plan of redemption and restoration.

- Verse three is an example of answered prayer. It also serves to show us that the timing is all GOD's. He would send Jesus, at just the right time. Verse 2 the request - "Send out your light..."John 8:12 — Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Verse 2 - the request - "... and your truth" John 14:6 — Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The request - "let them lead me" Jesus would send the Holy Spirit, John 16:13 — When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

- verse 2 - "Let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!" Jesus answered this when he told his disciples - John 14:3 — And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

- We see verse four realized in the snap shot in John's vision in Revelation - Revelation 5:9 — And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

- In the final verse we are reminded that in this life we will have turmoil, Jesus understood and encouraged us with these words - John 16:33 ESV — I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

- We have hope that we too will praise him, our salvation (Jesus) and our GOD (Jesus)

My prayer knowing this can also be a lonely and difficult time of year. Missing loved ones who are no longer with us, hardships, persecutions, mental and physical problems or as the Psalmist puts it "turmoil". Heavenly Father I pray you would be with that one who is in turmoil right now and they would find hope, your peace, and like John in Revelation be able to look forward to the time when they will be safe in your presence, around your throne celebrating with friends, family, and with all the heavenly beings that love you and worship you, Amen.