“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” –Psalm 42:5 (also in Ps. 42:11 and 43:5. ESV)
If you read the devotional thoughts I wrote for January 5 (yesterday), you will recognized that this verse was used within the body of that devotional to indicate what brings on the thirsting for God from a soul that can only find rest when resting confidently within God’s love and care.
But let’s be honest and admit that sometimes we do have a “drooping soul,” a time when we feel depressed and often at our wit’s end, a time when God seems far away from us. If we think honestly about such a condition, we will have to ask the question we sometimes hear: “When God seems far away, guess who has moved?” And an honest answer to that question is that the down-cast soul is the one who has moved from within the lovelight of God’s provision. “Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever…” But we, sinning, erring, straying, complaining humans are the ones who have moved out of the parameter of His presence.
To have low days seems to be a natural disaster of soul freedom. The Bible is filled with examples of those who experienced depression and temporary spiritual defeat. One example: Elijah had the masterful confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Horeb during the reign of King Ahab. The fire came down from heaven and completely consumed the sacrifice Elijah had laid out and watered down well. But the prophets of Baal could bring forth no response at all from their god. You would think Elijah would have rejoiced greatly in this victory. We observe, instead, him fleeing from the threats of Queen Jezebel, going to the wilderness of Beersheba, finding a juniper tree under which to rest, and praying to die. Pity-partying can be a true enemy of spiritual victory. The angel of the Lord came to Elijah’s rescue. And God can rescue any of us who will listen, heed and turn toward restoration. The choice to turn is ours to make and act upon.
Solomon had wise words concerning help for a drooping soul:
If you read the devotional thoughts I wrote for January 5 (yesterday), you will recognized that this verse was used within the body of that devotional to indicate what brings on the thirsting for God from a soul that can only find rest when resting confidently within God’s love and care.
But let’s be honest and admit that sometimes we do have a “drooping soul,” a time when we feel depressed and often at our wit’s end, a time when God seems far away from us. If we think honestly about such a condition, we will have to ask the question we sometimes hear: “When God seems far away, guess who has moved?” And an honest answer to that question is that the down-cast soul is the one who has moved from within the lovelight of God’s provision. “Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever…” But we, sinning, erring, straying, complaining humans are the ones who have moved out of the parameter of His presence.
To have low days seems to be a natural disaster of soul freedom. The Bible is filled with examples of those who experienced depression and temporary spiritual defeat. One example: Elijah had the masterful confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Horeb during the reign of King Ahab. The fire came down from heaven and completely consumed the sacrifice Elijah had laid out and watered down well. But the prophets of Baal could bring forth no response at all from their god. You would think Elijah would have rejoiced greatly in this victory. We observe, instead, him fleeing from the threats of Queen Jezebel, going to the wilderness of Beersheba, finding a juniper tree under which to rest, and praying to die. Pity-partying can be a true enemy of spiritual victory. The angel of the Lord came to Elijah’s rescue. And God can rescue any of us who will listen, heed and turn toward restoration. The choice to turn is ours to make and act upon.
Solomon had wise words concerning help for a drooping soul:
“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.Instead of a “pity-party” under an isolated juniper tree, why don’t we seek the Lord for restoration? We have evidence that He is strong, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, an immovable tower, a ready refuge in time of trouble and distress.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
-Proverbs 18:1, 10 (ESV).
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