TURN TO THE LORD WHEN DISCOURAGED

PROCLAMATION

“But David thought to himself, ‘One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul.  The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines.  Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.’”  1 Samuel 27:1 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

David had just spared King Saul’s life for a second time (1 Samuel 24:11 and 26:23) and Saul had said that he would not pursue David anymore. (1 Samuel 26:21)  However, because Saul had gone back on his word before, David did not believe him and felt that Saul would come after him again, and one day Saul would kill him.   This was a low point in David’s life when he focused on his current situation instead of focusing on The Lord God and remembering all that He had brought him through and protected him from.

APPLICATION

All believers have shortcomings and we all occasionally give in to our human emotions and weaknesses.  There are times when we walk through our own valley of depression and we get discouraged or despondent.  We worry and get depressed when we consider our situation from our limited perspective.  The Bible teaches us not to trust our own understanding but to trust in The Lord. (Proverbs 3:5)  This is the time when we need to remember The Lord’s model prayer.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)  We need to pray more and worry less.  We need to pray about everything and not worry about anything. (Matthew 21:22)

Our Hope Is In The Lord

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."  Psalms 42:11 (NIV)

This is one of the psalms which was recorded by the Sons of Korah, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The exact occasion and situation which resulted in this psalm are unknown.  It is clear that the individual human author was lamenting something intense, which was aggravated by the people around him that were mocking him. (Psalms 42:3 and 10)  He rebukes himself for being despondent, and then expresses his hope in The Lord God.

Sometimes, life has a way of getting us down.  Some things depress us, or disturb us.  And all too often, some of the people around us make the situation worse instead of better.  In times like these, we need to turn our attention to The Lord.  We need to remember how He helped us in past situations.  We need to remember that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus, His redemptive blood, and His righteousness.  We need to pray, and read The Holy Word of God, and then praise Him for who He is, knowing that whatever we need is already done.  Be strong and take heart, The Lord preserves all those who place their hope in Him. (Psalm 31:23-24)