Psalm 42 & 43

·37 min·3 clips

Why do we ask 'Are we there yet?' in faith, and how can longing turn into determined trust in God?

This sermon from GracePoint Church explores Psalms 42 and 43, delivered by the pastor to the congregation. The teaching uses a personal story about a family road trip to illustrate a universal human experience of impatient longing. The pastor describes a frustrating car ride where his children repeatedly ask "Are we there yet?" while en route to a vacation. He connects this to spiritual seasons where believers long for God's intervention, healing, or presence but feel stuck in waiting. The sermon introduces an eight-week series on Book Two of the Psalms, which includes Psalms 42 through 72. These psalms often express themes of separation, exile, anxiety, and struggle, providing language for believers in hardship. The pastor notes that Psalms 42 and 43 are historically linked, likely written by the same author, possibly David or the sons of Korah, who were temple musicians. The psalmist writes from a place of exile, feeling distant from the temple and God's presence. The core teaching presents a "big idea": a longing for God can be transformed into a determined faith in God. The sermon outlines four responses to difficult seasons, drawn from the text. First, one must be honest about the soul's condition, as the psalmist is when describing his tears as his food and feeling forgotten by God. Second, one should remember God's past faithfulness, which the psalmist does by recalling God from the land of the Jordan. Third, the psalmist requests God's help and guidance, pleading "Vindicate me" and "Rescue me." Fourth, one chooses to rejoice in God even when circumstances don't change, declaring "I will yet praise him." A surprising insight is that being brutally honest with God about doubt and anger can itself be an act of trust. The pastor argues that God is not afraid of our questions and can handle our raw emotions. He cites Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as a biblical example of this honest lament. The sermon also reframes hope not as wishful thinking but as waiting with expectation based on God's character. The pastor emphasizes that praising God is not a denial of reality but a choice to root faith in who God is—a stronghold and refuge—rather than in changing circumstances. He connects this to the resurrection power of Jesus, which assures believers that God's ultimate restoration is certain. The teaching concludes with three reflective questions for the congregation to apply the psalmist's pattern. The tone is pastoral, instructional, and conversational, blending personal anecdote with scriptural exposition. It is educational and encouraging, aiming to provide practical theology for navigating spiritual dryness. Listeners experiencing a season of waiting, discouragement, or feeling distant from God would find this episode particularly relevant. Those seeking a purely academic or historical analysis of the Psalms might find the applied, pastoral approach less suited to their interests.

As heard by us

A steady sermon on honesty before God, sorrow, and a hope that stays put.

Grace Point's sermon starts with a family road trip and settles into a frank look at longing, mockery, and the fear of being forgotten. Its main thread is simple enough: honesty before God is not a lack of faith, but part of it.

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Why you'd press play

When your soul feels stuck on the road, this sermon gives you words for the waiting.

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