I often find myself turning to the Psalms. This expansive book encompasses and addresses a litany of emotions. Whether I am full of joy, wrestling with anger, facing discouragement, or lost in confusion, the psalmists’ words bring comfort and hope. This week, I was reading through Psalm 43, and the words resonated deeply with my heart.

1 Vindicate me, my God,

   and plead my cause

  against an unfaithful nation.

Rescue me from those who are

   deceitful and wicked.

2 You are God my stronghold.

   Why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning,

   oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send me your light and your faithful care,

   let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

   to the place where you dwell.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God,

   to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre,

   O God, my God.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?

   Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,      

  for I will yet praise him,

  my Savior and my God.

This Psalm brings hope during the moments where life seems to be overcast with clouds of difficulty, sadness, and challenge. But this Psalm is powerful for another reason. It outlines a process by which our hearts can seek restoration, reconciliation, and renewal before the Lord. Notice in verse three, David’s prayer is that the Lord would send his light and truth. Here, light refers to the Love of God and truth alludes to the Spirit of God. By asking for light and truth, David’s heart is seeking guidance and comfort from the Lord’s love and Spirit.

David then describes exactly where the Lord’s love and truth will lead him: to the alter. Under the Old Covenant, the altar served as the place where animal sacrifices were given for the atonement of sin. Through the sacrifice, the Lord’s people were reconciled back to Him. The cross has replaced the altar under the New Covenant; by Christ’s blood, our sin has been paid for in full. So as we come before the cross with true repentance, our sin is dealt with and our hearts are made pure. Repentance itself is not an act of justification; rather it is a heart posture. When our hearts genuinely desire to seek the Lord, to know and follow Him, we are positioned to receive and walk in the fullness of what has been prepared for us (2 Cor 7:10). It is also important to realize that repentance, like communion, is a rhythm for our hearts. A journey toward walking and operating in deeper levels of power, glory, and intimacy with the Lord is the result of repentance (2 Cor 3:18).  

This process of purification positions our hearts so that they can rejoice in the fullness of joy, in the fullness of life (Eph 3:19). A significant component of the fullness of life and joy that we were intended for is peace. This peace is not simply the absence of chaos. Rather, it is a deep connectedness to the One who is Love in the middle of the most chaotic, unstable, and unpredictable times. So deep is this peace, that is passes all understanding. Overriding fear and worry, peace allows our hearts to remain centered in heavenly rest. As a result, this peace serves the purpose of guarding our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7). Thus, His peace is not passive, nor is it base. The peace of our Lord surpasses all and encompasses our hearts in protection and rest.  

This tremendous, precious peace is a gift, provided through the cross (Col 1:20). Through the righteousness that is counted to us by the cross, we have access to the Prince of Peace. As we submit our hearts to Him in true repentance, he gives to us and abundance of peace, rest, and protection. His righteousness make a way for us to walk in joy and peace, even in the most impossible and trying of situations. Because of the cross, we are able to sing and worship like David; the obstacles and challenges we face will not hinder love, joy, and peace (Rom 4:21-24).  

So, Dear Saints, persevere in worship and praise. Tune your hearts to the rhythm of repentance. Return, time and time again, to the cross, knowing with full confidence that a pure, joyful heart will surely be given to you. His righteousness is indeed our peace.