Ever have one of those days? Or one of those weeks? Or maybe those days and weeks go on for months, or maybe a year, even longer? A period of time where it just feels like one. thing. after. another. You ask and think to yourself, “Really? Again? When will this end? What on earth did I do to deserve this? Will things ever get better?”
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all experienced this before, some of us for longer periods of time than others. And if it were up to us, we never want to experience anything like this again. But these lives we live are never without suffering, are they? We get hurt and knocked down, only to get up and on our feet again; and then we fall back down, and on and on it goes, a series of highs and lows throughout this journey we call life.
In Psalm 38, David is definitely in a low place, as he expresses anguish in terms of failing health, loss of relationships, and enemies plotting out his demise, all within the context of hurt over his sins and fear of the Lord’s punishment.
O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage!
Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me.
Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins.
My guilt overwhelms me – it is a burden too heavy to bear.
(vs. 1-4, NLT)
David is weighed down. He’s falling apart, losing it all, at the end of his rope. And yet …
In the midst of his grief, sorrow, and pain, he waits on God.
What I do, God, is wait for you, wait for my Lord, my God – you will answer!
(vs. 15, MSG)
He confesses his sins.
But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
(vs. 18, NLT)
And he prays,
O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.
(vs. 21-22, NIV)
When we’re in the pit of sin or when we’re facing impossible and horrible circumstances, how do we respond? When we find ourselves distant from God, off-course, and living beneath the best He has for us, what is our reaction? I’d like to say the first thing I do is humble myself before God and lay it all out. But I don’t. I usually rely on my own strength and try to fix things myself until I burn out and am faced with the reality that I cannot do it on my own. Sometimes the reality takes longer for me to realize than other times.
But what I am reminded of by David in this passage is that …
When it looks and feels like it’s all falling apart, God is there.
When we’re tangled up in our mess and stress, God is there.
And when we feel oceans away from Him and beyond saving, God is there.
When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, let’s pour it all out to God just as we are, where we are. Let’s not forget that God knows exactly what we’re going through. He remember us and loves us even when we’re at our worst.
Let’s be like David and wait on the Lord, confess what’s in the deepest part of our hearts to Him, and pray for His rescue.
He is there and He is faithful.
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40:1-3, NIV
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Join me in the coming weeks as I participate in the #SheReadsTruth #SheSharesTruth devotional writing challenge. Every Friday during Lent I’ll post a teaching on here based on Scripture(s) provided at the beginning of the week. I look forward to what the Lord will teach me and put on my heart to share with all of you through this journey. Thanks for following along!
Courtney Stultz says
Love your post! I think it is awesome to see how others interpret the same readings but I feel like you are spot on! Thanks for sharing!
Nannette and The Sweetheart says
Wonderful! Loved it. Blessings!
nannette (candacejo)
Melissa Emma says
Loved your post today! I can totally relate to “I usually rely on my own strength and try to fix things myself.” Thank goodness for the LORD who wants to lift our burdens and carry them for us. Amen! 🙂
Kimone says
Amen
Morgan zoeller says
“When we’re in the pit of sin or when we’re facing impossible and horrible circumstances, how do we respond? When we find ourselves distant from God, off-course, and living beneath the best He has for us, what is our reaction? I’d like to say the first thing I do is humble myself before God and lay it all out. But I don’t. I usually rely on my own strength and try to fix things myself until I burn out and am faced with the reality that I cannot do it on my own. ” –yep! Exactly how I typically respond…loved this reminder and encouragement from you. Thanks for sharin!
ricea710 says
Love this post!
Ashley says
Oh man…I’m so glad I clicked your link! I relate to so much of what you posted. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Blessings from another SRT Sister! 🙂
Sarah says
Beautifully written! Much more concise than my own, which is so helpful to me!! 🙂 Great reminder to me that it doesn’t have to be that complicated…wait, confess, pray. God will be there!