They wilfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.  They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert?”

Notice the use of the word wilful.  They purposed in their hearts to test God, when, in actuality, He had aleady proven Himself faithful to Israel over and over again.  If they had remembered His deeds of old, and held them dear to their hearts, instead of sinning againt Him, their path would have been easier.

Not only can God spread a table in the desert, He an also bring water from a rock.  He can bring hope and blessing in a time of terrible struggle, He can raise the dead, and even change aman’s heart!  May He be praised!

I remembered you , O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.  You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.  I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.  My heart mused and my spirit inquired.  Will the Lord reject forever:  Will he never show his favor again?  Has his unfailing love vanished forever:  Has his promise failed for all time?

These are the writings of a person in the midst of  classic depression.  Look where he goes to combat these feelings.  vs. 10-12Then I thought “To this I will appeal; the years of the right hand of the Most High:  I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

The Psalmist remembers the amazing things God has done – His mighty works, His miracles, the history of His mighty deeds.  Think about this.  When  the trials of life are overwhelming, let us remember the amazing things God has done in our lives.  Someone told me once to keep a journal of the mighty hand of God in my life because I would never remember all that He has done.  I only did it for a short time, but think how wonderful it would be to look back on such a journal and be encouraged.

From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet.

Think about it: a judgment pronounced from heaven, and the very land, creation, feared and was quiet.  Today, the wicked neither fear, nor are quiet, but instead shake their fists at God.

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man.  But it is God who judges; He brings one down, he exalts another.

This is a good truth to remember when it seems that someone who is unworthy receives some kind of blessing or is given a place of honor.  It is all about the sovereignty of God.  He exalts and He brings down.  This applies to our nation, to our world, and to our own small reality.  Our place?:  to trust in Him, to pray for our enemies, and to rest in God’s love.

But you, O God are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth.  It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters; It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert. It was you who opened up springs and streams ; you dried up the ever flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.  It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

In spite of suffering and trials in our lives, whether brought on by our own decisions, or by the mistakes and sins of others, God is still sovereign.  Therein lies our hope.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel. Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

It is the best of both worlds,  While on earth, You dwell within us, counsel us, strengthen us by your presence.  Even  here in this world, as we think of the hope of eternal life, there You are.  There is nothing on earth to be desired that is not fulfilled in You.  There is no hope of heaven that is not complete in You.  When we die, You walk us through death’s door, guide us safely to the heavenly gates, and give us unspeakable joy in your Presence.

vs. 26 says it all: if Almighty God is your strength, your portion, your hope, other things pale in comparison.

He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor…For he will  deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 

My Bible says this is Solomon’s Psalm.  Solomon – the most wise, the most wealthy, reveals to us here that he has a burden for the needy, the afflicted who have no one to help them, those who suffer want.  In Proverbs 14:31, Solomon says, “…whoever is kind to the needy, honors God”,  and in vs. 21 “…but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. ”

Jesus spent most of His time with those who were needy and suffering.  he did not travel in the circle of wealth, but with the common man, those who were in need physically and spiritually.  Are we burdened to help those in need?

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

Doesn’t this sound like the psalmist is making a choice?  No matter what happens in my life and times, I will always have hope.  God is our Hope.  He is our Provider, our Source of hope.  He is our Friend, Our King, Our Protector. Since He never changes, and our hope is in Him, we can CHOOSE hope in every situation.