This week in Crisis Counsels we are moving verse by verse through Psalm 42, a Psalm which speaks directly to difficult times. The third verse of the Psalm reads, “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” In a time of great trouble, people often wonder where God is.

In last Sunday’s sermon, we noted that Jesus on the cross connected deeply with that human experience as he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus united himself with that human feeling of the absence of God. But precisely in so joining with us Jesus demonstrates that we are not in fact alone. God through Christ reaches into the depths to connect with us – so that we me might perceive that we are not abandoned, but God is with us and is at work with grace and saving power. From Psalm 42, verse 3, to Jesus’ cry on the cross, there are sections of the Bible that are pure gloom. But this is why the Bible is so meaningful and ever current: it speaks directly to us when we are down. But the message does not end there. The Scripture will continue with a message of tremendous hope, as it leads us to lift our vision to put our trust in God.

Prayer – In times of trouble, O Lord, lead us to realize that we are never alone. Share on X

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.