A Psalm for the Road

This week was Summer Fun at the Park. It rained on the final day, and a rainbow appeared just as we finished cleaning up. To most people, rainbows are simply water droplets refracting light. But God gave them to us as a reminder of His grace. Life may be stormy, but there is always hope and beauty on the other side. The volunteers who stayed late to clean up recognised that instantly, even though many of them don’t attend church.

This was my last Sunday at Community of Hope. Over the last ten years, we’ve spent a lot of time learning, growing, and allowing God to shape us through our experiences. Now, as He leads us down different paths, I want to leave you with a psalm for the road.

Psalm 42 reminds us of a reality we must all recognise: strong faith doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy. You will face physical, mental, and spiritual struggles. At times, you may even wonder whether God is really with you, and the world will encourage you to believe He isn’t.

Faith isn’t pretending to be happy in difficult circumstances. It’s recognising that God alone is our hope, even in our most vulnerable moments. Instead of searching for temporary solutions, people of faith remember the times they have experienced God’s presence. They continue seeking Him even when they feel angry or abandoned. They remind their souls of the truth: that the living God is our Rock, and we can trust Him even when life feels hopeless.

As God leads us onward, remember the promise of Psalm 42. You may not always feel His presence, but He is always walking behind you, guiding your path (Isaiah 30:21). Quiet your heart, listen for His voice, and trust His gentle whisper to lead you home.

You can watch the full sermon here.