Discouraged?

23 Aug

Discouraged?

There are times that I feel physically ill after reading syndicated news. It is disgusting to routinely hear about the abominable behavior of perverted people, the latest shenanigans of foul-mouthed politicians, and the rationalization of religious persecution. We do, indeed, live in a world full of evil and the Bible tells us that Christians will be persecuted (Jn. 15:20). But we belong to the Kingdom of God. Our focus needs to be on eternity and on serving God where ever and under whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Jesus Himself told His disciples:

“…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:44-45).

In addition, we are instructed to not be anxious. We have a heavenly Father with shoulders big enough to carry any burden we find ourselves trying to handle by ourselves. Phil 4:6-7 tells us to:

“Be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know unto God and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Even King David’s faith was tested numerous times, but his example of dependence on God still lives in the Psalms composed by his hand at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For example, in Psalm 56 he describes his fear as he hides from King Saul, whose hatred of him had prompted his decision to flee Israel and take refuge with Israel’s enemies, the Philistines (1 Sam. 21 and 27). In the middle of his discouragement, he calls on God to be merciful to him (verse 1), verbalizing his concerns and requests “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving”:

“Be merciful unto me, O God for man would swallow me up. He, fighting daily, oppresses me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee, in God. I will praise His word. In God I have put my trust. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Every day they wrest my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, and they mark my steps when they wait for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God.

You tell my wanderings and put my tears into Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? When I cry unto You, then shall my enemies turn back. This I know, for God is for me.

In God will I praise His word. In the LORD will I praise His word. In God have I put my trust. I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Your vows are upon me, O God. I will render praises unto You for You have delivered my soul from death. Will You not deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalm 56:1-13).

While not listed as Psalms of David, Psalm 111-118 overflow with praise, citing specific ways that God has blessed and cared for His people. Throughout these chapters are nuggets of information modeling for us how to respond to God no matter what turmoil surrounds us. Here are just a few of them:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all they that do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Ps. 111:10).

“…[A good man] will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved forever. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established and he shall not be afraid…” (Ps. 112:5b-8a)

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed is the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised” (Ps. 113:1-2).

“Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is your help and your shield” (Ps. 115:11).

“I love the Lord because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear unto me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live” (Ps. 116:1-2).

“O praise the Lord all ye nations. Praise Him all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise ye the Lord” (Ps. 117:1-2).

O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and because His mercy endures forever…The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation” (Ps. 118:1, 14).

When the world seems to be imploding in on us and we don’t know who to believe about what is going on, we feel like we have no control over what is happening. What we can control is how we deal with trauma and change. For the Christian it is a no-brainer to choose to allow God’s strength and promises to wash over and guide us by prayer, supplication, praise, and thanksgiving. Philippians 1:21 states the mindset necessary for this to happen: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”