When life becomes hard to bear and there is “˜no way out’, what must be done? No one can “˜pull themselves up by their boot straps’, no one can talk themselves out of the whirling vortex that pulls ever lower, the whirlpool that sucks them into the whirling waters. Sorrow and pain, loneliness and devastation, guilt and rejection – all are hard to bear.
There is only one sure way that will last – in (NASB) Psalm 143:6 “I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah [pause and think about this verse, these words that will draw you and me to look up to the living God.]
God’s grace calls you and I, God’s grace draws you and me, giving us a desire to turn to Him Who says “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (See Matthew 11:28, NASB)
Is that the cry of your heart? “˜Help me, Lord. I have no other place to turn for help, only You.’
You and I need God, we need to be dependent on God for His faithfulness ~ not ours.
Are we faithful to God in every area of our lives?
We need to depend on God for His righteousness ~ not ours.
Is our righteousness greater than God’s righteousness?
We need to depend on God for His justification ~ not ours.
Can we truly justify ourselves before God and say that we are without sin?
(NASB) Psalm 143:1-2
“HEAR MY prayer, O Lord,
Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant.
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.”
What do we need to recognize in our great need of God?
The enemy of God (and our enemy) pursues and persecutes our emotions, our wills are crushed and depression can result.
(NASB) Psalm 143:3-4
“For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart is appalled within me.”
How does anyone come out of this depression that is overwhelming and makes us numb? Christ-centered counseling is helpful; and we are to remember:
Remember: how God called us!
Remember: what God has done for you.
Ponder: God’s involvement in your life.
God’s grace draws us to pray!
What is your prayer?
Psalm 143 is a wonderful prayer to our faithful God.
