Lectio Divina (14th Century Monk Practice of Word Devine)

Read this 3 times and see what stands out to you, but the bold are the phrases that stood out to me and then my response to those phrases follows.

Psalm 42:1-11 The Life Recovery NLT

As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him? Day and night, I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, "Where is this God of yours?"

My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks--it was the sound of a great celebration!

Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again -- my Savior and my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness-- even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.

Through each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

“O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forsaken me? Why must I wander in darkness, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again -- my Savior and my God!

My Response

I remember how I used to be. Oh God! My joy was complete. I knew I was where I should be, but then, oh then, my joy became less and less. Darkness descended; deep, deep darkness that shrouded all I did with a gauzy darkness--making even sunny days seem cloudy and rainy. Sadness became my life--fulfillment was lacking. I began to wonder what life was all about--I became discouraged.

But, I am not alone though in the darkness it seems that way. I have You, and though I change, You don't. I do long for You, and when I'm discouraged I am most in NEED of You, but that is when I most turn from You. You are the Living Water that brings hope and satisfies. You are kindness and bring others into my life to turn me towards You--to remind me that I am not alone in the darkness. There is light, and it is You, God.