As a deer thirsts for streams of water, so I thirst for you, God. I thirst for the living God. When can I go to meet with him? Day and night, my tears have been my food. People are always saying, “Where is your God?” [Psalm 42:1-3 (NCV)]

Unfortunately, like David, there may be times we feel abandoned by God. Our faith doesn’t make us exempt from troubles nor does it render us impervious to sorrow, depression or despair. Our faith, however, does give us hope. Our hope in God (and professional help, if necessary) can carry us through those desolate and trying times of life.

Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising him, my Savior and my God. [Psalm 42:5-6a (NCV)]

A Christian will part with anything rather than his hope; he knows that hope will keep the heart both from aching and breaking, from fainting and sinking; he knows that hope is a beam of God, a spark of glory, and that nothing shall extinguish it till the soul be filled with glory. [Thomas Brooks]