HAPLESS BUT NOT HOPELESS –

As David slowly ambled on the road over the Mount of Olives, while leaving Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion, his heart was already aching with misery and discouragement. He left the city reluctantly, but knew he had to get out before Absalom got there with his band of rebels. After Absalom arrived in Jerusalem and discovered his father was gone, he took off after him, chasing him to the banks of the Jordan River. On the other side David found a city of refuge about 10 miles further east along the Jabbok River in Gilead named Mahanaim. This is where Jacob has his vision of angels going up and down the ladder to heaven, and where he wrestled with an angel. Here David would also wrestle with disappointment and shame, proving to be one of the most humiliating times in David’s life, but he wasn’t about to let it become a hopeless situation.

“O One True God, if You are listening please respond to my plea. I’m calling out to you far from home, and I admit I’m getting scared. You’ve got to find me a hideaway higher up than where I am so I can’t be captured. You’ve always helped me cope before, and given me the assurance I need to stand firm. Oh, if only I could find a place of worship and run to the altar; to be surrounded by Your presence. You know the vows I’ve made to You, and You are known for granting the requests of those who worship You for who You are. Don’t let this be the end for me; let me carry on serving You for years to come. I always want to be under the anointing of my One True God; I can make it if I know You love me and will give me victory. So when I get my life back in order, I will never stop praising You for who You are, as I continue serving You day after day.” Psalm 61:1-8

Reflection: William Cowper was a great English poet, but was known for being physically and emotionally unfit to pursue any profession. Although he won admission to the bar, he never practiced law. After a severe battle with depression he retired to the British countryside in a village named Olney. It was there he met John Newton, the writer of “Amazing Grace.” Life did not get any easier for Cowper as he battled periods of deep depression and more than once considered suicide. Yet his faith in God brought him through time and time again. This inspired him to write a poem titled, “Light Shining out of Darkness,” which contains these inspiration words often quoted today as scripture: “God moves in a mysterious way; His wonders to perform.” There’s little doubt that David experienced God moving in a mysterious way to accomplish His will for David’s life. But David refused to let that discourage him to the point that he gave up and surrendered. While he fervently dealt with his immediate problems with one hand, he held tightly onto God with the other. Like Cowper, David was inspired to write a poem in order to give comfort to others. So let every believer be reminded that what they say during times of trial and tribulation may become the words that inspire those who follow them to remain steadfast and firm in their faith. This is possible when you remember that the God you serve is also steadfast, firm and committed to carrying out His will and purpose for your life. So no matter how frail we are as humans, it never diminishes the greatness of our God.