As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food days and night, while people say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throngs and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God, my rock, "Why have your forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?" As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

Psalm 42:1-11

When people we care about die, we ask why God allowed it to happen? His understanding and ways are things we will never understand. His ways are not our ways. However, He is good and ready to forgive us at all times. The answers God gives us in His Word may not take away our sadness, but we can always rest in the truth that He is wise, sovereign, and good. Every loss leaves an empty space that only God’s presence can fill.

Our Daily Bread – September 2, 2004