How We Can Have Hope and Encouragement in the Darkness of Despair
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The darkness of despair
We all deal with despair in our lives, some of us more often than others. Many reasons cause despair to descend on us. The source may be internal, external, or both—resulting from our own actions or brought on by others.
At times, the dark hole of despair may seem inescapable. Even when someones else’s distress appears deeper and darker than ours, we can relate to them.
For many years, as a pastor, I counseled many people within the church and our community. Simply listening was helpful for many people. Since I could identify with many of them and their situations in life, it helped relieve some of their heartaches. Sometimes all we need is someone who can relate to what we’re going through.
The depth of emotion in the Psalms captures great heights of joy and the disorienting depths of despair. They paint a picture with words we can all relate to at different times in our life. This is God's design. His intention.
David and other psalmists express life’s heights, depths, and in-between spaces. This helps to affirm the commonness of our humanity.
This is an important reason God sent His Son Jesus, so we would know that God can relate to us in all the highs and lows of our humanity. Keep this in mind as you read this portion of Psalm 69.
Scripture
For the choir director; according to shoshannim; by David.
Save me, O God! The water is already up to my neck!
I am sinking in deep mud. There is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water. A flood is sweeping me away.
I am exhausted from crying for help. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are strained ⌊from⌋ looking for my God.
Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are mighty. They have no reason to be my enemies. I am forced to pay back what I did not steal. [vss 1-4]
O God, you know my stupidity, and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from you.
Do not let those who wait with hope for you be put to shame because of me, O Almighty Lord of Armies. Do not let those who come to you for help be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel.
Indeed, for your sake I have endured insults. Humiliation has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my ⌊own⌋ brothers, a foreigner to my mother’s sons.
Indeed, devotion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
I cried and fasted, but I was insulted for it. I dressed myself in sackcloth, but I became the object of ridicule. Those who sit at the gate gossip about me, and drunkards make up songs about me. [vss 5-12]
May my prayer come to you at an acceptable time, O Lord. O God, out of the greatness of your mercy, answer me with the truth of your salvation.
Rescue me from the mud. Do not let me sink into it. I want to be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water.
Do not let floodwaters sweep me away. Do not let the ocean swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.
Answer me, O Lord, because your mercy is good. Out of your unlimited compassion, turn to me. I am in trouble, so do not hide your face from me. Answer me quickly!
Come close, and defend my soul. Set me free because of my enemies. [vss 9-18] (Psalms 69:1-18 GW) [Context– Psalm 69]
Reflections and Insights
We could consider this a Messianic psalm in some ways. Jesus quotes directly from it and several lines in this psalm apply to Him. (Rom 15:3). It includes descriptions of what Jesus experienced in His life on earth and upon the cross as the Son of Man.
In John 15:25, Jesus draws from this psalm (in verse 4) regarding those who hate Him and will demand His crucifixion. He certainly endured insults, especially after His arrest and while on the cross (see verse 7).
The Lord Jesus can relate to us when we feel estranged from family members, as David spoke of in verse 8. And Jesus quoted verse 9 directly when He overturned the money changer’s tables in the Temple courtyard (John 2:17).
Later in the psalm, David again despairs over the unfair treatment he receives from those who are against him. Jesus relates to this too! While Jesus was on the cross, they gave Him gall and vinegar to drink (Matthew 27:34, 48).
God can relate to us no matter what depth of despair we may experience or what height of joy. Jesus was both human and divine in nature while on earth (Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 1:8-9).
He hears. He knows. He cares (Hebrews 2:14-18).
Reflection—
God can relate to us no matter what depth of despair we may experience or what height of joy. Jesus is our personal connection with the Father. He hears. He knows. He cares
Prayer Focus—
If you're in a place of despair, call out to the Lord! He hears you and He understands! If you know someone trapped in despair, pray with them and encourage them to reach out to the Lord themselves.
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