Tim Keller | – Talking to Yourself, Not Listening to Yourself – Psalm 42 Meditation by Tim Keller

Today we continue this special series of meditations by Tim Keller — “Trusting God in Difficult Times.” This series is meant to encourage you to trust God more deeply and to meditate on his word and what it promises, to give you strength and hope in difficult times. After the meditation, Tim will be joined by Kathy Keller for a short Q&A.

These meditations are brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you’ve enjoyed this meditation and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting [support us] and making a one-time or recurring donation.

About The Author

Gospel in Life Sermons and talks by Timothy Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and NY Times best-selling author of "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism." For the latest sermons from Tim Keller and additional resources, please visit https://www.GospelinLife.com Gospel in Life

Comment (43)

  1. I needed to hear this… I just passed one year since our son’s suicide…I have been unable to pull myself out of my sorrow, and I will listen to this everyday if necessary until I truly feel God’s comfort so that I may live again in a praise worthy life, with the same joy and hope I had before my son left this world…

  2. Thank you. Living with C-PTSD, I often find myself having to fight a slipping into a spiritual depression. Thanks for the reminder of the Spirit coming alongside to witness to my spirit I am a child of God and will come through this victorious

  3. Dear Jesus Christ, I desire that your heart and attitude might be my own that you would increase even as I decrease. Give me an ever-larger picture of you so I might see myself with ever-increasing clarity and revel each day in your amazing grace. Keep foolish pride far from me, and give me the sense to humble myself in healthy ways that bring strength and joy to everyone around me.
    Remind me constantly. Lord, that you hold my life and breath and eternal future in your loving hands and that every good thing I have comes from you. Never let me forget that although without you I can do nothing, in Christ I can do all things.
    The difference is you.
    In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

  4. My wife and I sat down to listen to Dr.Keller bring the Word before I head in to work. We are both greatly encouraged to turn our thoughts to praise by reminding our hearts of who the LORD is. Praise God.

  5. Dear Tim and Kathy, thank you for these talks, they have all been helpful. In my 50’s I have seen a world with less science messages trying to tell me this is how it is and steal hope. I am amazed and grateful that God loves us and He knows how it is. He says He really is true and very good to be true not too good to be true. Jesus reigns.

  6. Thank you so much for these very timely meditations. My husband and I have learned so much from your teaching. Your balanced approach has really opened up the Word with such clarity for me. Thank you again!

  7. True confession. I go to bed every night listening to a Dr. Keller sermon From the Gospel in Life channel. I have been homebound since a stroke in 2014. I discovered this channel in 2015 or 2016, not sure. I think I have heard every message at least once. But I am so thankful for them. I am enthralled to say the least in a new way about the gospel as I understand it so much better now. And I am so much more in love with Jesus than ever before, if that could be possible. I love this little series and I appreciate it greatly as my isolation has grown a bit stronger since friends are not able to come by now. So lovely to meet you Kathy. I particularly enjoy the exchange that you two have. It is very clear that you have a special relationship. God bless you with many, many more years of powerful ministry.

  8. Don`t want me commentating on your racist videos , then stop youtube algorithm from suggesting bullshit lies like yours.
    Australian Aboriginal people at least 65,000 years old Christianity and pedophile god of Christianity area t most 1,700 years old.
    Just preaching this rubbish is an attack on my peoples civilization and culture.
    How many children have suffered under your god, how many nuns and woman in service to christiantiy have been raped and murdered bye priests, what was it in vatican well 13,00 females of varying ages , dumped bye the vatican , they where sex slaves treated worse than islam .

  9. You wouldn't catch me ever before 2015 watching something like this, I can say now your inner being will help you out, talk to yourself and listen to what they have to say.

  10. Tim, I've been a believer since 1979. I've seen many ups & downs in my journey as a C'an. But the worst of the worst happened bout 2 weeks ago, when my 20 yr old nephew committed suicide. He was struggling wt depression for a long time. He was in pain, finally he gave up. I have a Masters in Biblical studies, but there are days where I wonder, what is all this about? What was the Lord thinking in the planning room of eternity before it all began? Sometimes I feel reminiscent on the scene from Patch Adams where the character asks God, that maybe He should have done a little bit more brainstorming on the problem of pain before deciding to create us …

    Don't get me wrong; I love the Lord, and I seek to honor Him as much as I can despite my weaknesses. But i also leave you with a quote from CS Lewis – “What do people mean when they say, 'I am not afraid of God because I know He is good'? Have they never even been to a dentist?”

  11. Thank you for this uplifting message and commentary Dr. Keller. I just heard about your diagnosis and prayer request on Sunday; it is a journey I am also taking, although my particular brand is renal cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, it has metastasized into my bone and my care is palliative. I reciprocate your prayer request and ask that you remember my precious wife and young children. The Lord knows and in Him will I trust.

  12. Thank you for this specific encouragement and this entire series. I love how modern science is constantly rediscovering ancient wisdom learned from God. No matter how far we think we've come, He is always waaaaaaaaaay ahead of us.

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