UP LOOK FOR THE DOWNCAST
Scripture: Psalms 42 &43
I. INTRODUCTION
This is a Psalm of comfort and consolation. It was written either during David's exile from
Jerusalem, or during Israel's captivity in Babylon.
Matthew Henry: Sometimes God teaches us effectually to know the worth of mercies by the want of them, and whets our appetite for the means of grace by cutting us short in those means.
Emotional depression has rapidly become a major health problem, not only among adults, but
even among children and teenagers. It is reported that there are two thousand suicides a day
around the world, and many of these are caused by depression. More than four million people
in the United States each year need special medical attention because of severe depression.
A. Depression can be related biological causes that are out of control of the affected individual.
Medical treatment is required. Chemicals may correct an imbalance.
B. The secular world is more susceptible to depression due to unrealistic expectations and
the lack of spiritual support in emotional upsets.
C. Call it what you will, Christians have their share of emotional problems. Remember point
A. Being saved does not correct biological problems. However, the expectations of
Christians should be more realistic and there should be constant support from the many
helps of Christ and His church.
II. OBTAINING VICTORY OVER DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION
A. Stop looking at yourself and start looking at God!
1. His thoughts were on himself. In Psalms 42 & 43 there are 51 personal pronouns:
14 I's 16 me's 21 my's
Compared to 21 mentions of "God" and the "Lord".
2. He was discouraged because his plans had not been fulfilled. He wanted
to join the pilgrims in their annual trip to the temple, but he could not
go (42:4).
3. His feeling had not been relieved (42:3). He was "feeding on tears" instead of
eating his meals.
4. His questions had not been answered.
a. Why art thou cast down?
b. When shall I come and appear before God?
c. Why hast thou forgotten me?
d. Why go I mourning?
e. Why dost thou cast me off?
f. Where is thy God?
Ten times the psalmist asked "Why?" and we have no record that God ever
gave him an answer.
5. God's people need to examine themselves and confess their sins, it is a dangerous
thing to look at yourself too much. One evidence of this selfish pride is that
we see ourselves no matter where we look. This explains why a change in
circumstances cannot of itself cure depression: we take our hearts with us.
* People try to overcome these emotional upsets by rearranging their situation:
a. Change jobs.
b. Change friends.
c. Change habits.
d. Change spouse.
6. The most important thing about any difficult experience is not that we get out of it,
but what we get out of it. If we are truly thirsting after God, and not just His
help and deliverance, then the experience that could tear us down will actually
build us up.
B. Stop looking at the past and start looking at the future.
1. When the present is difficult people look either to the past or to the future.
a. If we look to the future, we are trying to forget ourselves.
The lost have nothing to look forward to beyond the grave.
b. If we look to the past, we are usually pitying ourselves; and self-pity
is one of life's most destructive forces.
There is a right and wrong way to use the past:
(1) When we see God in our past, then the memory will be a
blessing.
Yesterday God helped me;
Today He'll do the same.
How long will this continue?
FOREVER, praise His name.
(2) When we see ourselves, and when we start contrasting our
circumstances, then the memory will only
bring discouragement.
*The past must not be an anchor to hold us back; it must be
a rudder to guide us forward.
2. The answer to depression is hope. In the Bible, "hope" is not "hope so".
a. God's deliverance.
God will one day defeat the enemy and give victory (43:1).
M.H. --> Let not good men think it strange if they be exercised with many and various trials, and if they come thickly upon them; God knows what he does, and so shall they shortly.
b. God's presence and protection (43:2).
God may not change the circumstances, but HE will enable us to face
them and be adequate for them.
Philip Brooks: "O do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not
pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks."
c. God's direction in our lives (43:3).
He gives light in the darkness and leading in the decisions we must take.
How easy it is to make wrong decisions when under a cloud of depression. In fact, it is unwise to make any important decision when we are tired or discouraged, because it will probably be a wrong decision.
d. God is our joy.
If we get our joy from our own feelings, or from comfortable circumstances, we will be constantly disappointed.
"God is the gladness of my joy." (43:4)
*To remember the past and forget God is to encourage discouragement!
3. Christians have hope
Hope = expectation of good; joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
a. A lively hope --> I Peter 1:3
b. A blessed hope --> Titus 2:13
c. A reasonable hope --> Col. 1:27 & I Tim 1:1
B. We must stop searching for reasons and start resting on promises.
1. It is not wrong to ask questions of God, but it is wrong to question God.
You must maintain an attitude of submissive concern and not rebellious complaint.
2. We do not live on explanations; we live on promises.
a. God promises to care. (42:1)
b. God is the living God. (42:2)
c. God promises to be faithful. (42:3 & 8)
d. God promises to forgive and cleanse. (42:4 & 43:4)
e. God promises to be our strength and refuge. (42:6)
f. God promises to lead us and receive us. (43:3)
*It has well been said, "Never doubt in the dark what God has
taught you in the light."
III. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul?"
A. Because you are looking in the wrong direction!!!!
1. You are looking at yourself.
2. You are looking at the past.
3. You are looking for explanations.
B. Look up!!!!!!!!!!
