Written by Julie Tsoukalas.
The Psalms are a wonderful look into the heart of David, King of Israel. Though he was a faithful follower of the Lord and even called a man after God’s own heart, there were times when he absolutely struggled with feelings of despair and depression.
Psalm 22:1-2
(1) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
(2) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Psalm 22:12-15
(12) Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
(13) They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
(14) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
(15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
I know I have been there. Sometimes when it rains in our lives, it literally pours- and we can be overwhelmed at everything that seems against us. In the midst of trial and heartache it can be difficult to focus on anything except what is happening to us.
We see that David was able to turn it around.
Psalm 22:22-27
(22) I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
(23) Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
(24) For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
(25) My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
(26) The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
(27) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
After every depressed declaration throughout this Psalm, David followed it with praise to God. He reminded himself that God is powerful, He has done amazing things in the lives of believers, He sees and understands our affliction- and then David encourages others to praise the Lord as well, knowing that hearing their praises will also encourage his own heart.
Rehearsing God’s goodness is a balm to our weary souls. We can train our hearts and minds to praise Him, regardless of how we feel. How differently would you experience trials if you turned your heart to praise? David’s God is the same today- unchanging and always worthy of our praise!
Now go read Psalm 30 and be encouraged!
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