God's Encouragement

Donald McCulley had a sermon entitled “Got Hope?” In this sermon, he tells of a famous painting by G. F. Watt with the title of “Hope”. The painting pictures a poor woman against the world. Her eyes are bandaged so that she cannot see ahead. In her hands is a harp, but all the strings are broken save one. Those broken strings represent her shattered expectations, her bitter disappointments. That one last unbroken string is the string of hope. She strikes that string and a glorious melody floats out over the world; it fills her dark skies with stars. The artist painted a great truth: Even when all else seems gone, you can still have hope!

Have you ever felt depressed? If so, then you will find good company in Psalms 42 and 43. These psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah, who comprised Israel’s worship team of singers (Numbers 26:11). Essentially, these Psalms are about a person who is desperately longing for God’s presence and rescue but is overwhelmed with feelings of depression. Water comes out as a big theme in Psalm 42. This writer is feeling separated from God and he can feel it so much in his soul that he is like a thirsty animal, searching for water. He has a spiritual need in his life like this—longing for God’s presence.

The psalmist cannot figure out why he is so depressed. He goes on to describe himself as “deeply depressed.” Now the theme of water returns—describing the depression, which he sees as a conspiracy of the waves that cascade over him and are dragging him down to the bottom. Depression is like that—you cannot breathe, cannot see your way out—and are sinking fast. Even in the midst, he knows that he must continue to look to God’s faithful love at all times. Sometimes all we can in the midst of depression is to keep crying to God.

Ponder over two truths from this Psalm. First, depression can happen, even to a believer. We are not immune from this struggle. Then remember that ultimately it is God who is our hope. We can trust in the promises of God, that no matter what is happening around us, it will be okay—God is in control. God does have a plan, God does love you—and he will see you through even this.