Book III
While Book III contains threads of hope, it is often labeled as the “dark” book of the Psalter because of its focus on lament.
Life is short. The truth of this weighs on me, especially on the night before birthdays and every time I try to stay out after 11 pm. I also notice it here: have you ever been at a great dinner with great friends and thought, “This is amazing, and we are officially going to do this together every weekend from now on”—and then savor the next dinner together a decade later? The years are flying, friends.
And some of our days and years have been heartbreaking and exhausting. We spend interminable nights calling out to the Lord, just like Ethan the Ezrahite, “How long, LORD?” (Psalm 89:46). How long will our suffering last? Turns out, not that long. Remember what Paul said about suffering on earth? He called it “momentary light affliction” (2Corinthians 4:17). What a wonderful and shocking perspective. This life is short and eternity is neverending.
But the sufferings of even this short life make us desperately long for God’s rescue, comfort, and presence. And it is this final longing that is at the heart of our desire. While relief from struggle and hardship is lovely, our hearts are not truly fulfilled and comforted unless we know we are not alone and orphaned. The sons of Korah cry, “Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else” (Psalm 84:10). Our true desire is for the fellowship of God’s presence. We long to know that someone is consistently there for us, that our voice is heard and not ignored.
Do you still sometimes find yourself in the darkest depths, saying, like the psalmist: “I am like the slain lying in the grave, whom you no longer remember, and who are cut off from your care” (Psalm 88:5)? Yet even in our most desperate hour, we have the sure hope of Jesus Christ, who works wonders even for the dead, who declared His faithful love even in the grave!
Even in these short pilgrim days, the promise of His abiding presence sustains us. Our eternal hope is not merely a thing yet to come but a present reality. We say, “may my prayer reach your presence; listen to my cry” (v.2). And we know that He hears, for He is our magnificent strength. Because His faithful love and truth go before Him, happy are we who walk in the light from His face (Psalm 89:17,14–15).
And the great marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven will surpass all the best and richest dinner parties we’ve ever enjoyed during our sojourn days here on earth. These days can feel long, but our redemption is coming, and our joy in His presence will be absolutely incomparable.
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39 thoughts on "Longing for God’s Presence"
The place God loves for us to be in is a state of longing for him. It’s a humbling state to be in. When we find ourselves longing for God, it’s telling God, I know you know I know I can not do this life without you; not even a little bit. It’s an absolutely lovely place to find yourself.
@victoria E – thank you for bringing us along on the journey with you. Your courage to be vulnerable and share has shown us God’s faithfulness. It’s a blessing to see your blessings!
Amen
Elaine Morgan, I am praying for your niece, her babies and family. Please keep us updated!!
Elaine- praying for Amber that her bleeding stop so that she can hold her twin boys.
Victoria E- praying for your daycare situation.
Dorothy- praying for you and your sister in regards to the situation with her son.
Longing for God to rescue us !
Psalm 88 caught me on my track. I had to stop and re-read. The psalmist was in great distress and anguish. He said Lord you distanced my friends, my loved ones and neighbors from me, and how the psalmist suffered at a young age. That made me think of Joseph. If Joseph was sold into slavery, broken and traumatized at such a young age, it could as well be his lamentation. But Joseph didn’t stop following God. His story continued. And then I think of our Lord Jesus, this could be as well his lamentation. All the great men in the Bible are no strangers to suffering and great pain, yet their stories with God continued.
Thank you Tina, Searching for your responses❤️.
Praying for Amber and her twin babies.
Praying for you dear Victoria E and daycare situation for baby Elijah. He is about the same age with my baby girl. She is 6 month ish lol. Wishing your family smooth juggling. ❤️
44 You have made his splendor to cease
and cast his throne to the ground. 45 You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with shame. 46 How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? 47 Remember how short my time is!
For what vanity you have created all the children of man! 48 What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? 49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? – Psalms 89:44-49 As dark of a place as this psalmist was in… if only he had known God’s plan to send his only begotten Son to come here, and in just a few short years, accomplish the impossible. Die on the cross, rise again and defeat death and the grave once and for all so that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! Lord, my hope is that even when I am in the deepest valleys and darkest moments of my life—when I don’t understand why I am going through what I am going through, I can put my full trust in Your plans for my life. Amen and amen.
44 You have made his splendor to cease
and cast his throne to the ground. 45 You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with shame. 46 How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? 47 Remember how short my time is!
For what vanity you have created all the children of man! 48 What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? 49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? – Psalms 89:44-49
What a wonderful series so far. I listened to this week’s podcast on my morning commute and it was a great, touching way to start the day. As I hear stories of affliction and suffering, I am reminded that God does not waste pain. And as an empath, sometimes sitting across the table from someone and hearing their deepest valleys can be tough, because I wouldn’t know the words to say or what to do, and I could almost feel their pain with them. But reading these devotionals and seeing the support you ladies have for one another, the kind words shared… I have amazing examples of how to encourage and uplift. We use God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit in us also knows what to do. I just need to trust Him that those words will come out.
Psalm 88 reminded me of Nathanael in the Chosen, when he was distraught and depressed, sitting under the fig tree. I just watched the episode again a few days ago and recalling it brings tears to my eyes. It’s such a comfort to know that God sees us wherever we are and He does not turn His face from us.
Thank you ladies who shared the song recommendations and who are contributing to the Spotify playlist that was shared yesterday!
Blessings to you ladies this holiday weekend.
So good to see you Victoria! You posted when I did!
@Molly R- I agree, the podcast was so inspirational!! What an amazing testimony Katherine Wolf gives!! I too had to look up articles on her and her website! Can you imagine that happening at such a young age with a 6-month-old! We always think our life and troubles are so big, then you hear her story!
Tina! Thank you for asking, Elijah is doing well almost six months praise God ! His existence is truly a miracle and a blessing. We are experiencing some issues finding a daycare near our new location- I was told he could enroll in one a few months ago only to have that fall through due to staffing issues and now we are scrambling to find a new one/ alternate childcare options so that my husband can also work. Please pray for us to find a good daycare or other childcare so that we can both do the work God has for us.
Lisa Jones thank you for trusting us to pray for you. I am praying right now.
I’m definitely longing for God’s presence. I know that at times o long for others to fix my loneliness, when only God can. I pray I can rest in his hope and promises today.
Adding my prayers to everyone’s for Amber & her babies.
Kelly (NEO), I too found the commentary from HRT to be very comforting.
Tina, thank you.
A little behind this week, but praying for all y’all. Have a blessed weekend.
Hugs & love
Elaine Morgan – praying for Amber!
WOW!!! I needed this devotion today, my nephew has been playing havoc with my sister’s emotions and mind today. He called and said he was getting out of jail soon and wanted mine and my son’s numbers so he could see if he could stay with one of us. My sister let my son know, there was an upset text on phone from my when I woke up. My sister is distraught. BUT GOD!!!!
Be blessed and take all your cares to the Lord (and yes I’ve done that and am doing that), sisters!
Thank you Tina❤️
I am so thankful for this SRT community who pray and care with such compassion and diligence. I’m grateful for your hearts that love Jesus and how you disciple.
Amen
Kelly (NEO) – I appreciate your prayers.
Tina, thank you!
Elaine I am praying for Amber.
So ironic that Rebecca mentions “staying up past 11pm.” I am an early to bed/early to rise person, so when I started the 1 hour long podcast for Week 2 at 8:30, listened enraptured all the way through, and THEN spent another hour+ looking up Katherine Wolf’s story and testimony….waking with the toddler at 5:45 came faster than I thought. But what a humbling time spent hearing her testimony! I never stay up that late for something like that, but I felt overwhelmed with a want to.
It made sense as I finished up around 11pm, because earlier in the day yesterday, I met up with some dear friends from our homeschool co op at a park, and, while our children played, we sat at a picnic table and shared what the LORD was doing in all our lives. It was a much needed catch up after a long, busy summer apart. One of the women I knew, but not very well. I could tell by her comments to others that her life was very much a BOOK III kind of story. I gently asked for more details of her life, and what came out was more like Psalm 88 than I ever knew. But if you could have just heard how she so lovingly claimed the goodness of God, even in the pit….It was such an honor to hear her practically sing the praise of Him. She is leading our High School Juniors this year at co op, and it’s no coincidence that they have a focus on poetry, with a in depth Bible study of the Psalms…God is in the details and uses all our circumstances for His glory, if we let Him, and oh how this sweet soul is letting Him! God, you are so good. Your mercies are new every morning. Your lovingkindness goes on forever. Great is your faithfulness through all the earth!
Wishing all a weekend filled with ️. Blessings and all requests silent and spoken lifted in prayer.
Wonderful perspective! I absolutely loved this devotional.
When reading Psalm 88 you really feel the weight of despair- the lowest of lows and if anyone has been there you know GODS GOODNESS is the only thing pull you from the pit! My prayer Lord is that we stay close to you- praising you in the good, the bad, and the ugly!!! Wishing everyone a safe and happy long holiday weekend!
I know it by heart. Whether music, lyrics, a verse of scripture, or the way home, to know it by heart means it is sealed, seared in, locked in memory. This is how I know God, I know the way, His Way, by heart. “Blessed is the one whose strength is in You, in their heart are the highways of Zion” (Psalm 84:5). I go “from strength to strength” (v. 7). Hills and valleys. From/to. A pilgrimage of joys and weeping. From the Valley of Baca (weeping v.6) to the mountains of Zion (God’s dwelling place v. 7). This is where my hope rests. And so, we go, we have strength to keep going. We know our way home by heart. Our way to peace. To comfort. To endurance. To joy. This hope brings healing. These weeks in going from Psalm to Psalm, from cries of desperation to shouts of joy. From doubt to confidence. I am grateful for the myriad of honest emotions laid out before God. In these holy songs and poems, God gives my heart permission to feel all the things. I pray for gentleness and grace when looking upon another’s life, and when others look upon mine. When we see strength and joy, don’t envy the mountaintop story. Remember the valley that came before. And Lord, help us to be ready to welcome both as we journey with You. May we know and hold Your promises by hearts that are secure in Your loyal love. Lifting up the women in this SRT fellowship, Lord hear our cries. Selah. Maranatha. Amen and amen.
Praying for your neice
Oh amen!
ELAINE MORGAN, I am praying ardently for your niece Amber and her babies. Please update us when/if you are able.
Longing for God’s Presence (Psalms 84, 88-89)
Psalm 84 – We long for the God of Armies as we travel to His home.
The journey is exhausting. There are places with no refreshment. There are times of danger from wicked people. We long for God to fight on our behalf and protect us and lead us as we travel to be with Him in His home.
Psalm 88 – We long for the God of our salvation during desperate times, the times when we look at all our troubles and believe we are close to death.
These are times filled with darkness and we feel God’s wrath is heavy upon us, the times we are abandoned by friends and lonely. These are the times that are filled with grief and crying. We long for God to save us and pull us out of those difficult times. We need His comfort and life. We need His light and mercy and grace. We need His presence and faithful love. We need His joy.
Psalm 89 – We long for our faithful God during perplexing times.
When we look at our circumstances and they do not align with what we believe God has promised us, we become confused and perplexed. We remember that God is faithful and that His word is truth. We long for God to keep His promises.
I love how Book III of Psalms ends. “Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and amen.”
This book of Psalms is emotionally difficult to read because of the desperation and despair of the psalmists. However, the psalmist who wrote the last psalm in this portion proclaimed that the Lord is forever blessed. No matter what we are going through, we must bless the Lord. He will supply us with every need as we walk through this life. We must trust His faithful love for us. It is true. Let it be so.
I’m so grateful for a God who cares more for us than we do for ourselves. Sisters, please be in prayer for my niece, Amber. She just birthed twin boys last night and they can’t get her bleeding to stop. Her blood pressure is really high and won’t come down. She is so afraid. She still hasn’t been able to hold and feed her babies.
Thank you, KELLY (NEO), TINA and MERCY.
Praying through the needs mentioned of overwhelming job stress, grief, infertility, tackling classes, moving, healing that’s needed, guidance when you can’t figure out what the next step should be. God is always here for us, sisters, through the darkest night and the best of days. I love the encouragement of this community as we continue to seek His will and worship the Lord. Praise His holy name!
❤️
Amen! ❤️
From HRT today:
“Sin still derails our walk with God. It builds barriers and shatters our lines of communication. Worse, it leaves us feeling disconnected from the presence of the One we need more than anything or anyone.
“Thankfully, as Korah’s sons knew, God is never more than a prayer away. Even when our backs are against the wall and hope is hard to come by, He has promised to hear us and draw near us. We never have to wonder if He cares or if He’s listening.
“God faithfully provides His presence, and, honestly, His presence is all we really need.”
DOROTHY – praying you have peace of mind and soul today. Lean in to Your Comforter.
MIA FAITH – praying for you and your family members
SEARCHING – praying the Lord will help you as you continue to deal with your family’s “drama”
SARAH D – you have made progress, remember to celebrate that as you continue seek God’s help in overcoming anxiety and stress ❤
Thank you father God.
@Susan Lincks.. I love your words “Lord, teach me to sing your praise daily… Amen.
@Searching..❤
@ Sarah D… praying dear sister for the weight and fog be lifted in Jesus name..❤
@Angie Mills. I love the old ones too, I grew up on those.❤
@Sharon, Jersey girl.. ❤
@Taylor.. hope all is well with you, dear heart.❤
@Mia Faith.. so so very dorry for your loss and troubles..praying for you and yours.. God is near, never far away in these sad sad times. He never leaves nor forsake.. Trust Him. ❤
@Molly R.. hoping your sleep pattern gets better in the mighty name of Jesus.. Amen.
@Gramsiesue..❤
@ Dorothy.. sending love wrapped hugs wrapped in prayers for your heart.❤
@Martha Hix..❤
@Victoria E.. hope life us being kind to you and yours. How is the little one..❤
@Mercy.. thank you for your kind words❤
@Mari V.. praying God be present in your new season.. Go forward, knowing God is right with you..❤
And to ALL, Blessings wrapped in great love and thanks for you as we journey together in His Word.. ❤