Hope in God (Psalms 42 - 43)
Group Guides | Sharing the gospel, sharing our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
By way of introduction: What does our society tell us to do when we find ourselves downcast?
Read Psalm 42-43
1) As you look at the imagery which the Psalmist writes with in verses 1-5, do you resonate with any of these descriptions?
2) In the second section of verses 6–11, the Psalmist expresses that he feels like God has forgotten him (verse 9). Yet with language that even Jonah uses in the belly of the great fish (Jonah 2), has God forgotten him – even in his trial of a troubled soul? And how significant is it to call out to God, even when we feel forgotten?
3) In Psalm 43, describe what the Psalmist knows, and how he feels.
4) Have a close look at the repeated chorus of 42:5, 11 and 43:5, what does the Psalmist do to address his downcast soul?
5) As we read these Psalms through the interpretive lens of Christ, how does Jesus fulfill these psalms and fill our faith with application? (Matthew 26:38, 27:46)
6) We have a regular inner voice, our own voice, that speaks to us. Also, there are the outside voices of others. So how may we practically hear God’s word in a way that cuts through?
7) If we were to examine our hopes, where do often find that we have misplaced hope? And what will it functionally mean to hope in God instead of misplaced hope?
Pray for one another.