Life can often leave us feeling overwhelmed with its many concerns.
Financial strain, health concerns, current events, relational conflict all have a wearing effect on our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. (There is some overlap in this lesson application from previous lessons which addressed worry, fear, and grief.)
In Psalm 31, the tone transitions back and forth between dismay and thanksgiving. Throughout we see that in the midst of adversity David continually trusted in the Lord above all else.
Before we dive in, I think the writers intentionally utilized the term “blues” in the title recognizing that clinical depression is a serious medical condition.
We all feel blue or down at times, but some of us must seek the help of counselors or medications when those feelings fail to resolve.
Seeking this help DOES NOT mean someone is weak or lacking in faith.
Psalm 31:1-2 sets the tone for the entire passage. In David’s trial he first seeks refuge in God. God is obviously the first option we should turn to when we are experiencing trials. Here David uses the proper name LORD. This is the God of the covenant. The God who had called David’s people and sustained them throughout the centuries. In this time of trouble David already had an established relationship with the God of the universe to draw strength from. David asks to be saved by God’s righteousness. He realized that he could not rescue or save himself, but he was dependent on God to do so. Verse 2 draws the image of God turning or inclining His ear to listen for David’s pleas. I can only draw the parallel as a parent when you might hear your child from a distance. That is when you ask for everyone else to be silent as you cup your hand to your ear to listen more closely. The CSB describes God here as a rock of refuge, and a mountain fortress. These are places of strength where one can find a shelter from a storm and protection from an enemy. David definitively pointed to the One who could provide his deliverance.
Verse 3 continues the theme that God is our all-sufficient source of security (rock and fortress). David adds another facet to describe God’s provision – He is also our source of direction. God will both lead and guide His people when they seek Him. Again, we note this is done in the sake of God’s name. God will not lead us astray. He will fulfill His promises because His perfect nature will allow nothing less. Just a question that crosses my mind here that you may want to consider: What distinction if any is there between God’s leading and God’s guiding?
In verse 4, the Lord is both a deliverer and a place of safety. The enemy will set a trap or snare that we may fall into without warning. Who can rescue us when we find ourselves entrapped or in a pit of despair? God is the One who can redeem us from such a situation (Psalm 103).
David was confident in God’s promises. He was confident because God’s track record is unblemished. God had always been faithful to deliver the Hebrew people and David from whatever predicament they may have been in.
This is why in verse 5 he is able to entrust his spirit into the hand of God. The hand is a representation of strength and might (Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 89:13). David also rejects false idols. The people of Israel were surrounded by nations who worshipped other gods. Today we may not worship before an altar like they did, but we often exchange God’s truth for a falsehood. We often seek comfort or affirmation or satisfaction apart from God. All those treasures will vanish at some point, but treasures of heaven are eternal (Matthew 6:19-21).
We close this week’s lesson (vv. 7-8) with David reiterating the fact that God is keenly aware of our troubles, and He is faithful to walk with us through the trials of life. Because of this he is able to “rejoice and be glad” in God’s faithful love. He recognizes that God will not hand him over to his enemies. God will not abandon him in time of trial. Not only did God not abandon David, but He also set him back on his feet in a “spacious place.” This spacious place is a safe place free from pursuers. He is reestablished in a place of peace and security.
When we allow our circumstances to consume our thoughts and take our eyes off our Savior, we can find ourselves with a case of the blues. Allow me to share a couple familiar passages that have helped me immensely over the years.
I encourage you to read Romans 8:18-38. Here Paul eloquently and forcefully tells us that we will have troubles but the eternal hope and future we have is more amazing than we can even imagine.
Through Him we are more than conquerors and we have the promise that we will never ever be separated from the love of God.
Another briefer passage is 2 Corinthians 4:7-11. Here Paul writes despite our delicate nature we are not crushed, or in despair, or destroyed because the life of Christ is manifest in us.
To try to wrap this up. Like David we will encounter trials because we live in a fallen world.
Many of these trials are by no fault of our own. David probably would have echoed Job in saying “I know that my redeemer lives, and in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).
When I find myself down in the dumps the first question I need to ask myself is: Am I focused on my problems or am I focused on the One who can lead me to find a solution? If there is no good resolution, then like David I need to trust in God to guide me through.
Remember God leads and guides us in many ways: His Word, the Holy Spirit in prayer and the advice mature fellow believers.
If we as Christians experience these blue days we can work and pray through these times. In addition, there are practical measures we can take regarding exercise and diet to help improve our state of mind.
We also pray for discernment to know when to seek the help of professionals and medicines that God has provided.
Happy New Year to all and thanks for reading!
Chris Larsen
This morning in light of all that has gone on in the past year and even with the election my mind was drawn to Psalm 2. The psalm opens asking a question that is all the more pertinent today: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” No matter your political leanings I think this paraphrase of Psalm 2 from Alistair Begg is a good reminder even applicable to today’s lesson.
Thanks again and God Bless You All,
Chris Larsen
