When Life Cuts!
Anguish, fear, uncertainty robs of us of much needed vitality. We
look out from eyes brimming with tears because of a recent life experience and the
candle of faith begins to flicker, and deep down were convinced it might all
together blow out. The dying light, leaving us to embrace further unwelcomed
darkness.
A wonderful Scottish preacher named Alexander McLaren once said:
A wonderful Scottish preacher named Alexander McLaren once said:
“Despondency (Depression) has a knack of
picking its facts”
I think he meant that life often has so sharp
of edges that we believe the cuts will never heal properly, if ever!
King David certainly
felt that way, he rose to fame as a young giant killer, eventually becoming the
King of Israel. His family life was horrific, he had a child out of wedlock, by doing so, he forced a
trusted friend to the front lines of an epic battle to be killed, in the hopes
of disguising his infidelity with that same trusted warriors wife!
In Psalm three he is
enduring the immense pressure of his son’s betrayal. The Psalm is linked to 2
Samuel 15.
2 Samuel tells the sad story of Absalom who had avenged his sisters Tamar’s rape at the
hands of her own half-brother. David in
choosing not to punish Amnon, (The one who raped Tamar) set in course actions
that would lead to Absalom’s death. Absalom handsome and winsome had turned people’s
hearts from David to himself, with the ultimate goal of becoming king.
Psalm three is a
reminder when life experiences cut, that God alone is the balm (Comfort) for a
troubled heart.
O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! (Psalm 3: 1-8). ESV
your blessing be on your people! (Psalm 3: 1-8). ESV
That word Salvation is an interesting word, it means to “Have breathing
Room”. David lived, sadly Absalom died (Sin has its consequences) God provided David, breathing room and that’s what He will do for you, when life cuts!
What a wonderful message. Served as a wonderful reminder that we need to seek and trust in the Lord. In times of plenty, in times of impoverishment, in times of joy, and in times of depression. By hope and faith in the Lord, miracles can happen. "Breathing room" is just one of the many blessing God can provide. We only need to seek him with all our heart and a willing mind. HEBREWS 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
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