NextLevel Online: Praying the Psalms A Prayer for Everything

When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with you

This session explores the deep sense of loneliness and isolation many feel today, especially younger people, despite modern technology's connectivity. In Psalms 42-43, the writer, likely a priest taken captive and living far from Jerusalem, expresses grief and isolation but resolves to trust in God. The psalmist's self-talk and hope for better days ahead are central themes. Through a series of questions and reflections, participants are encouraged to find solace in God's presence and to use self-talk to combat loneliness. Other psalms highlighting God's presence include 15, 23, 46, 68, 73, 77, 84, 90, 113, 118, 124, and 139.
Start Lesson
When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with you

Venue

 

Sections

Downloads

About

The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson
17:02When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with yWhen you are lonely, the LORD moves in with y

Session 6: When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with you (Psalm 42-43)

Summary: Recent surveys indicate that in spite of the many ways modern technology enables personal connection, people say they increasingly feel lonely and isolated. This is particularly true for younger people. In Psalm 42-43, the writer expresses his grief at the isolation he feels while being from his homeland as he remembers the experiences there that brought him happiness. He reminds himself that better days are ahead and he resolves to trust in God in the meantime.

Background: Psalm 42-43 was likely composed by a priest who had been taken captive during a foreign invasion and was now living far from his home in Jerusalem. While the psalm was divided into two parts (Psalms 42 and 43), there are actually three choruses that link the two together with the central verse in 42:8. The psalm begins with life-threatening grief and concludes with a hopeful prayer for the future. It contains one of the best examples of “self talk” in the entire Book of Psalms.

Opening Questions:

  1. Remember a time when you were homesick. How did you deal with it?

  2. Describe a time when you were really thirsty.

  3. What is your favorite thirst-quenching beverage?

  4. Do you find yourself talking to yourself often? What do you talk about?

Study Questions:

  1. What is the psalmist’s condition in 42:1-3? How is he doing in 42:7? Is he any better in 42:9-10?

  2. What does the psalmist assume about God in 42:9? Why?

  3. Twice the psalmist is taunted with the question, “Where is your God?” (42;3,10) Who is taunting him? What is the effect on him?

  4. What prescription to his grief does the psalmist offer himself in 42:5,11 and 43:5? Is this a realistic way to handle grief?

  5. What is the psalmist learning about God, even though he is not in his house? (42:8)

  6. The psalmist addresses God in several different terms: the living God (2x), my Savior (3x), the LORD (YHWH), my rock, and the God of my life. What does each of these say about God’s relationship with the psalmist?

  7. Do you think things have gotten better for the psalmist by the end of the psalm? Does his mood change any? Why?

  8. Read John 4:20-24. How does Jesus answer the question, “Where is your God?”

Application Questions:

  1. If you were asked the question, “Where is your God?” How would you respond?

  2. The psalmist twice asks, “When can I go and meet with God?” (42:2). How does the New Testament answer this question? John 2:19-21; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

  3. What does it mean to meet God in the person of Christ? To meet God in the church? To meet God in the Holy Spirit?

  4. What wisdom from this psalm helps you when you experience loneliness?

  5. What “self talk” will you use next time you are feeling isolated?

Other psalms about God’s presence: 15, 23, 46, 68, 73, 77, 84, 90, 113, 118, 124, 139

When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with you Instructions

Lesson
17:02When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with yWhen you are lonely, the LORD moves in with y

Session 6: When you are lonely, the LORD moves in with you (Psalm 42-43)

Summary: Recent surveys indicate that in spite of the many ways modern technology enables personal connection, people say they increasingly feel lonely and isolated. This is particularly true for younger people. In Psalm 42-43, the writer expresses his grief at the isolation he feels while being from his homeland as he remembers the experiences there that brought him happiness. He reminds himself that better days are ahead and he resolves to trust in God in the meantime.

Background: Psalm 42-43 was likely composed by a priest who had been taken captive during a foreign invasion and was now living far from his home in Jerusalem. While the psalm was divided into two parts (Psalms 42 and 43), there are actually three choruses that link the two together with the central verse in 42:8. The psalm begins with life-threatening grief and concludes with a hopeful prayer for the future. It contains one of the best examples of “self talk” in the entire Book of Psalms.

Opening Questions:

  1. Remember a time when you were homesick. How did you deal with it?

  2. Describe a time when you were really thirsty.

  3. What is your favorite thirst-quenching beverage?

  4. Do you find yourself talking to yourself often? What do you talk about?

Study Questions:

  1. What is the psalmist’s condition in 42:1-3? How is he doing in 42:7? Is he any better in 42:9-10?

  2. What does the psalmist assume about God in 42:9? Why?

  3. Twice the psalmist is taunted with the question, “Where is your God?” (42;3,10) Who is taunting him? What is the effect on him?

  4. What prescription to his grief does the psalmist offer himself in 42:5,11 and 43:5? Is this a realistic way to handle grief?

  5. What is the psalmist learning about God, even though he is not in his house? (42:8)

  6. The psalmist addresses God in several different terms: the living God (2x), my Savior (3x), the LORD (YHWH), my rock, and the God of my life. What does each of these say about God’s relationship with the psalmist?

  7. Do you think things have gotten better for the psalmist by the end of the psalm? Does his mood change any? Why?

  8. Read John 4:20-24. How does Jesus answer the question, “Where is your God?”

Application Questions:

  1. If you were asked the question, “Where is your God?” How would you respond?

  2. The psalmist twice asks, “When can I go and meet with God?” (42:2). How does the New Testament answer this question? John 2:19-21; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

  3. What does it mean to meet God in the person of Christ? To meet God in the church? To meet God in the Holy Spirit?

  4. What wisdom from this psalm helps you when you experience loneliness?

  5. What “self talk” will you use next time you are feeling isolated?

Other psalms about God’s presence: 15, 23, 46, 68, 73, 77, 84, 90, 113, 118, 124, 139