Psalm 42:1-11 [Let Us Fight the Good Fight of Faith]

[Things to Meditate On]

1. The psalm above is titled, “To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.” However, judging from the content of the psalm, many people regard Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 as psalms written by David, because the writer longs to return to the temple of God from the northern part of Palestine (v. 6). Therefore, it is considered reasonable to see this psalm as one David wrote when he was fleeing from Absalom. In any case, we can see that the writer is earnestly seeking God while fighting against his own heart, which is becoming anxious and cast down, in the midst of the oppression of the enemy (v. 9) and the reproach of his adversaries, which is like a sword in his bones (v. 10).

2. Therefore, the words in verses 5 and 11 above can be understood as words that clearly teach us what “the good fight of faith” is.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 "11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

As this passage says, in order for us to follow after faith, we must fight the good fight of faith. In other words, in order to keep the faith, we must fight against our own heart that tries to become anxious and cast down, just as it is written in verses 5 and 11 above.

3. In this regard, the writer’s repeated words to his own soul, telling himself to believe that God will help him, show us an example of faith that we ought to follow.

Psalm 43:5 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6 "1Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. 2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. 5My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved."

[Decision and Application]

Generally speaking, when a person becomes cast down and anxious in the day of trouble, it may seem natural in one sense. This is because, literally, “trouble,” that is, distress and calamity, has come upon him. However, these feelings that we may naturally have in times of trouble are by no means faith. “Faith” causes us, in the day of trouble, to look to God all the more, and because of that, to praise Him instead. Therefore, in times of trouble, we must seek Jesus all the more, as the hart panteth after the water brooks, and we must fight by faith against our own heart that tries to become cast down and anxious, and overcome it.

Proverbs 8:17 "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

If we become faint in the day of trouble, we show weakness to the adversary (Prov. 24:10), and our adversary the devil rejoices. On the other hand, God is not pleased when our faith draws back.

Psalm 13:4 "Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved."

Hebrews 10:38 "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."

Therefore, the more difficult and hard things become, the more we must fight the good fight of faith. We must firmly believe that the One who governs all matters of our life and death, blessing and adversity, is Jesus alone, and we must continue without wavering to rely on Jesus, that is, on the word of God (Lam. 3:18-39). As it is written, the just shall live by faith. Therefore, to those who keep “the faith of Jesus” until the end, Jesus will grant the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls, when He comes again (1 Pet. 1:9).

Revelation 2:13 "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."

Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

1 Peter 1:7-9 "7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Amen.