5/6 Psalm 42 & 43 - Hope Even When Pain Stays

Is it possible to find hope in suffering? What if we're in a situation that is not likely to change, how do we find hope then? Join us as we study Psalm 42 and learn about how to walk with God in the midst of ongoing suffering.

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

1.    Psalms 42 & 43 are about finding hope in the Lord, even when our difficult circumstances aren’t getting better. Have you ever been in a situation where things don’t seem to improve? What did that do to your hope and trust in the Lord? Why do you think it has that kind of an impact? 
2.    Why do you think the author, in verse 1, starts out comparing his seeking God like a deer seeking water? What might he be saying about his own pursuit of the Lord? Have you ever sought the Lord with this kind of passion? 
3.    According to verse 2, how is his search going? 
4.    Although we don’t know the circumstances surrounding this psalm, if the psalmist is writing from exile (as suggested by the podcast) who are these people who are mocking him in verse 3? Why would they be mocking him? 
5.    If the author is writing from exile, and if he is not a young man, will his situation likely improve? Why or why not? How would that have been a difficult reality for him to work through? 
6.    Who (or what) is the author addressing in verse 5? What point is he making? How does this show us that we don’t have to listen to our emotions or let them lead us? 
7.    Verse 7 is giving us a deep, meaningful message that hopefully resonates within all of us. What do you think he’s communicating to us about difficult situations? 
8.    Verse 8 is filled with hope and trust. How does the psalmist describe his relationship with the Lord? Why would the psalmist still have this kind of a relationship with God, even if God wasn’t doing what he (the author) wanted? Is your trust in the Lord this steadfast? Why or why not? 
9.    Yet, verses 9 & 10 show that the author was having difficulty making sense of his situation. What kinds of difficulties might he have been facing? 
10.    Despite these difficulties, what does the author tell his soul in verse 11? Why is this difficult for us to do? What have you learned about how to have victory in these spiritual disciplines? 
11.    In Psalm 43:1, what is the author calling out for? 
12.    How is Psalm 43:2 similar to what we have just read in Psalm 42? 
13.    What is the psalmist asking for in verse 3? Why is he asking for them? 
14.    In verse 4, where is the psalmist seeking to go? What will he do if the Lord leads him there? 
15.    Verse 5 repeats similar wording that we saw back in Psalm 42:5 & 11. Why are these principles so vital to trusting God, even when our situation may not improve? 

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