“As the deer pants for the water brooks,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
Psalm 42:2

In his distress, the heart of the psalmist longs to know the touch of God once again. When encountering the hardships of life he instinctively knows that only God can be his refuge. He longs to hear from God, to be touched by him. When we’re in the midst of deep trials, sometimes God seems far off and oh how we yearn for the touch of God once again.

The psalmist speaks to himself and counsels his own soul to endure and to wait on the Lord.

vs: 5
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him
for the help of his countenance.”
Psalm 42:5

Then the psalmist reminds himself of the times in the past when God moved mightily on his behalf, naming the specific times he experienced the victorious power of God.

vs 6:
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me,
THEREFORE I WILL REMEMBER YOU
from the land of the Jordan,
and from the heights of Hermon,
from the Hill Mizar.”

When in deep trial, think back upon the times when the Lord has mightily brought you through. Keep a journal so that in times of heartache, pain, and trauma, you can go back and remind yourself of the great things the Lord has done in your life. Meditate on each story and how God brought the victory. The same God who brought you through before, will bring you through again.

Speak to yourself, counsel yourself, remind yourself, encourage yourself – that you SHALL yet again see the touch of God that will carry you through.