Reflections in Psalms – Day 22 – My Barzillai

Psalm 42

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. 1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. 7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. 9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? 11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

In my research about this Psalm, I discovered that when David fled Jerusalem and had been abandoned by Shimei, Mephibosheth and Ahithophel, he was not forsaken. The Lord sent him an 80-year old man named Barzillai. This dear man brought David food and fellowship. Despite being abandoned by many, the Lord knew David’s frailty and did not allow him to be abandoned by all. I love the fact that God knows our each and every weakness.  He knows that we are nothing without Him!

I have felt this way at times. Supposed friends who have left my side because of misunderstanding. Rather than look back on my testimony, they were quick to judge and abandon our friendship. Granted, if I had sinned, I deserved a tongue lashing! But to not even give me the benefit of the doubt is unconscionable! Despite it all, the Lord was faithful – He placed a Barzillai in my life to feed me His Word and encourage my soul.

The Psalm opens with David acknowledging that he thirsted after God! Why is it that at times we only seek God’s face when we are abandoned by family and friends? Why is it that we seek Him after all else fails? There have been times that I’ve been in the flesh where I sought outside help rather than look to God. Through each of these times, I was taught that God alone is faithful. He knew exactly what I needed and when I needed it! He led me to the Rock that was higher than I.  He taught me to hope in Him and He was faithful!

God’s faithfulness and love is not sporadic. As David pointed out, His lovingkindness was present during the day as well as in the night. God is constant – He is consistent – He is continuous! His love for me never ends and, therefore, He is faithfully leading me and teaching me through each situation in my life!

I, too, can sing: “For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”