GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON DESPONDENCY
Please open your Bible and read the entire 42nd. Psalm. This will give you context for this writing. The Psalmist was clearly despondent. He cried out to God and he observed “By day the LORD directs his love (toward David), at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life” Psalm 42:8. David was aware of God’s song being played in his heart by night. That night song worked itself out as a prayer to the Lord.
Please read (42:7). As the author watches the melted snow gushing forth in waves from the mountain cataracts, he sees in this a picture of his own present situation as blow after blow descends upon him. But notice he does not say “these breakers and these waves have rolled over me.” He says “your breakers and your waves . . . ” This is very important, because he is affirming that the situation is not out of control or evidence of God’s lack of concern—but rather that God is sovereignty (even if mysteriously) at work through these sufferings for an eventual outcome that will be good and vindicate his choice to go on trusting God (read 42:8).
There is an old saying “Trouble talked about makes it double.” Trouble talked about in the form of gossip and slander does make it increase. However when we talk to the Lord about our troubles (in prayer) they begin to take on new perspective. When we begin to see our trials through His eyes, then we can rejoice because He is in control and His purposes are being worked out in our lives. This is something the Bible teaches over and over again—the rhythm of trials followed by blessing (Ps. 66:10-12; Lam. 3:21-36), suffering followed by hope (Rom. 5:3-5), “death” followed by “life” (2 Cor. 4:11). Read 1 Pet. 5:10. This is why David could say”Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:1
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