Sr P Edson – July 2022

When trials and tribulations come our way,what do we do, where do I go? Whom can I go to for help? On a hot January afternoon I stood outside one of our local shops when a car pulled up. Inside the car were two big German Shepherds, with drooling mouths. I could immediately see they were very thirsty. Usually, outside the shop is a container with water, marked “dog parking”. When the owner opened the car’s door, the dogs sniffed the water and started to whine. Driven by thirst, they literally” attacked” the water when let out by their owner.

When reading this verse, this incident comes to my mind. The urgent need for water! Life-giving water. The psalmist, in depicting the deer, creates the same situation – the great urge to quench thirst –where to go when in trouble! The author of Psalms 42-43 was a musician who used to lead worshipers to the temple in Jerusalem. But now the temple of God lies in ruins, the fields and vineyards burned to ashes and this spiritual leader in exile in Babylon. He is in great need and he longs for someone to help. He grieves over his circumstances. Four times he repeats the phrase:”why am I so troubled”. This emphasizes his spiritual condition. Treated badly in a foreign country by heathens, they think back of the days when they could go to the temple and praise God for His mercy, where they experienced the love and tenderness of God, Almighty. They felt as if they were deserted by God. There in the strange land he hopes for a restoration of their previous close relationship with God. The lingering became a persistent need to be in God’s presence. Thrice in the two psalms we read:”why am I so sad?’’

Difficulties in our own lives sometimes drive us away from God, our Creator. Many a time we choose to forget God and struggle on our own, failing miserably! In such desperate situation the psalmist recalls the Lord’s mercies in the past. My dear friends, if despair and doubt “haunts” you at this moment, this psalm teaches us to hold on to God-to yearn (like a deer for water) to be near Him. Desires to know God more. If we want to know God, we can know Him, because He makes Himself known to us. On a rough piece of wood, Jesus revealed His love for humanity-for me and you too! Sometimes God may use suffering to refocus our deepest desires on Him, because He loves us. The many loved ones we lost-due to Covid, brought hardship and despair in many houses. Many families are suffering emotionally. Pray that He makes His face shine upon you. If you are one, I want to encourage you, desire God’s presence!

My simple message to all of us for this month is: desire to restore or enhance our relationship with God. Keep trusting the Lord in any situation even the most difficult. God assures us of His presence .The thought of God’s presence allow the psalmist to acclaim: my Saviour and my God. May God help all of us to to seek strength in Him. Brothers and Sisters, when in need, turn to God.

PRAYER:
Holy Master, keep me from giving in to despair. Through you there is hope in the darkest times of my life. Amen.

Sr P. Edson