This week, we continue our theme of renewal. Last week, if you remember, we talked about a fresh perspective, focusing on the truth of who God is and what his word says. Having established both God and his word are perfect, we can now discuss fresh hope for a joyful life.
Even recognizing we live in a fallen world, life can seem pretty unfair. Financial experts finally have admitted we are in a recession, but that news comes as no surprise to most of us. With the cost of living rising and job security bottoming out, most of us already have been struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, everywhere we look, health problems multiply and families fall apart. The things we want, we can’t ever seem to achieve, while the things we have give little or no satisfaction. It all can seem pretty hopeless.
Today, we read two psalms, written by David at a time when he was feeling depressed. Although presented as two separate psalms in our modern Old Testament, many Hebrew manuscripts present them as one, and today we will read them as one. Honestly, whether the psalms were meant to be read together or separately doesn’t matter. What does matter is how David responds to God in the midst of his depression.
In these psalms, David expresses hopelessness in God’s apparent distance and lack of support. But David is honest about his feelings and shares them transparently with the Lord, all the while crying out for deliverance. By following David’s example, we can weather our own storms a little more gracefully. Like David, when faced with trails, we need to focus on our soul’s longing for God, the truth of God’s constant love and our own commitment to God.
Understand your soul’s deep desire
We were made by God specifically for relationship with him. When Adam and Eve lived in the garden, God walked with them daily. Though sin has interrupted perfect communion with God, he has continued to reach out to man, first through the Old Testament law and finally through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:27-28).
Even in the midst of depression, David acknowledges his need for relationship with God. We too must understand our greatest need is an intimate relationship with our Lord.
All too often, when life comes crashing around us, we turn from our greatest source of strength and comfort. Sometimes we blame him. Other times, we merely forget him. Yet through him, we can find comfort. He isn’t the cause of our troubles, but our source of joy in spite of our circumstances.
Remember God’s faithful love
Feelings can be misleading. When it seems God is absent, we need to rely on our knowledge about him. First, we must remember God’s desire for our best. Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We are God’s creation, made for his pleasure. Sin, not God, brings life’s hardships.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
Second, we can never make God stop loving us. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 38-39). God doesn’t punish us with circumstances. He doesn’t test us with difficulties. He loves us throughout life’s challenges.
And finally, God is faithful. “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name” (Psalm 111:7-9). We can trust God even when nothing else seems sure. But like David, we must remind ourselves of this truth even when we don’t feel it’s true.
Follow God’s light and truth
When facing difficulties, we don’t always think clearly. So before difficulties come, we must commit to remain faithful to God, just as he is faithful to us. Regardless of our circumstances, we must focus on five things:
1. Worship. Praise God, not because things are going your way, but because he is who he is. Thank him for the assurance of his love when nothing else seems stable. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts” (Psalm 96:8).
2. Obey. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). We honor God when we obey him out of love, even when we don’t see immediate rewards. We can, though, be sure the rewards are waiting for us. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
3. Trust. God wants only the best for us. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
4. Believe. God can and will restore us. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
5. Act. Don’t react. Regardless of the source of your problems, respond as Jesus would respond. Be patient and kind to one another. Be thankful and obedient to God. “Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Life sometimes is unfair, but God always is fair. Circumstances may seem hopeless, but God can restore our hope. Trials may challenge our faith, but God remains faithful through them all. When going through difficult times, remember: God doesn’t cause the difficulties, but he can work through them to bless us and to teach us more about himself.
Discussion questions
• When life seems overwhelming, how do you usually respond?
• Do you think it’s possible to genuinely worship God when you’re facing trials?
• How might it help to focus on God instead of our problems during hard times?
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.