Are You Downcast? (Psalm 42)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
24 April 2022
There is crisis in the nation. Many people, especially among the young generation are downcast and experiencing mental illness.
The psalmist was downcast. He asked himself “Why are you cast down, O my soul?”
The psalmist understood that his being cast down was linked to his spiritual life. He spoke of the soul. Much of present day counselling ignores the soul. The psalmist was a believer. His depression was a spiritual depression but there is no reason why his approach cannot be used by unbelievers. The message of the Bible is for everyone.
The psalmist was honest with himself. He admitted he had a need. He spoke to himself. The way out of depression is first to admit you have a need.
The psalmist was mindful of the cause of his being cast down. It was because of the taunts and oppression of his enemies (v.3,9). Much depression arises because we live in a fallen world. People without exception are imperfect. We hurt one another. Jesus was hurt. Jesus was mocked. He knew what it was to be distressed. Crucially the psalmist looks away from himself. He was not inward-looking. The Bible exhorts people to look away from self and to look to the Lord (Isaiah 45:22). Jesus invites people to look to him (John 12:32).
The psalmist recalls past seasons of blessedness—the happier times when he assembled with fellow believers to worship God. Recall the happier days of your life. As the hymn writer wrote: “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” God who blessed you in the past will not forsake you in the present. Jesus recalled the glory he had in heaven (John 17:5). He was not abandoned on earth.
The psalmist prayed. Like a deer panting for the water brooks he sought the Lord. He reasons with God…”Why have you forgotten me?” (v.9) Jesus reasoned with the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt.26:39,42). He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
The psalmist never lost hope. That hope was in God and not in himself or anyone else. Human help is limited; divine help knows no limit. Jesus was crucified but not crushed. He was sorrowful and deeply distressed but was strong and maintained hope.
Let us never give up. You may be downcast but there is hope. Have the same mindset as the psalmist. Trust in God. Look away to him. He will be your help. Jesus has tasted being downcast. Jesus has tasted death for people. He has been through it all and has triumphed. In him you will overcome being cast down. In yourself you will remain cast down. The better choice is clear.