Do you ever feel despairing?--that place in your life where life is so tough you don't know how you'll survive. You are worried you will drown in it all. You're worried God isn't listening--you won't admit that, but deep down that's what you're thinking. Would it surprise you to know that David felt the exact same way? More still: that he felt that way multiple times? Did you know the apostle Paul did as well? And Elijah? And Moses?
The kings, prophets, apostles, and miracle workers of the Old and New Testament all felt complete despair at some point in their lives--sometimes several points in their lives. I want to analyze several Scriptures so as to gain insight into how to respond to those really dark times in our lives. We'll view these times through the lives of two prominent Bible characters: David and Paul.
David the Son of Jesse
David was a mighty warrior. He killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17). He was a favorite of King Saul for a time (1 Samuel 16:21). David was even blessed with good looks (1 Samuel 16:11).
However, though a warrior, there were times where David was filled with despair. At a young age, Saul turned on him (1 Samuel 18). From there, Saul attempted to kill David multiple, multiple times (1 Sam. 18:11, 1 Sam. 18:17&21, 1 Sam. 19:1, 1 Sam. 19:10, 1 Sam. 19:11, 1 Sam. 19:15, 1 Sam. 19:20, 1 Sam. 19:21, 1 Sam. 19:22, 1 Sam. 23:15, 1 Sam. 26:2). David had a life of complete fear and despair all the time. At any moment, Saul could come upon him and kill him. To make things worse, David could not kill Saul--though given the opportunity to do so twice (1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26)!
So we have a handsome guy, pursued by a King and his nation (Israel) and he can't kill his pursuer (which if he did, he would automatically become King of Israel). Lose-lose situation, no?
But in the midst of all this, David kept himself focused on God. We can learn from what David did in the midst of a situation worse than anything we're ever likely to be involved in.
1. David Trusted in the Goodness of the LORD Regardless of the Appearance of the Situation
Psalm 27:13-14
"13I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD."
Written by David, he says that the only thing that keeps him from despair is believing in the goodness of God--that He will bring it to pass. David mentions the one problem we all have with the goodness of the LORD--we want it on our time and not God's. David says to wait for the LORD. That doesn't mean move ahead and God will come in when He wants, it means STOP, DON'T MOVE, and WAIT. If you're having a difficult time, and you're not willfully disobeying God, and there appears to be no end in sight--God says wait. His timing is perfect. If you wait, God will work it out. The pain you're in is worth it--that's the only reason God allows it (James 1:2-4). God doesn't do it because He hates you or dislikes you or wishes to punish you (though He may if you require discipline), He does it because He loves you. The endurance it gives you is invaluable! The more time you spend in the fire, the less the fire can affect you. It's like your body's immune system. You become immune to diseases, but only after you've experienced them.
Also, take courage! God says the the trial will END. David wrote above that he would've despaired unless he had believed that he WOULD see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. God will bring you through it! You won't die, because God is faithful! Just wait for it! It's like a birthday gift--you have to wait until your birthday to get the gift, but the existence of your birthday assures you that you will get the gift. You just have to wait for it.
2. David Had Good Counsel
1 Samuel 13:15-18:
"15Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and †encouraged him in God. 17Thus he said to him, "Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also." 18So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house."
† Lit strengthened his hand
The first thing the LORD gave David to deal with his problems (besides Himself) was good friends and good counsel. For us, that means you need to surround yourself with good, sold Christians. Let them encourage you, and--like Jonathan--encourage your friends when THEY'RE down. God gives you brothers and sisters in Christ for a reason. They are there for edification, for love, for counsel--they're there to help you when you need help and visa versa.
When you are greatly despairing and don't know where to turn, turn first to God, then find some good Christian counsel. Indeed, if your friends are true, mature Christians, they should seek you at to begin with. Either way, surround yourself with the people of God.
The Apostle Paul
Paul experienced more persecution than either you or I ever will. He describes in great detail the horrid treatment he received during his ministry in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30. He was imprisoned, beaten, whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, and in danger of death many times. Yet through all this, the apostle Paul made statements like the following:
Philippians 4:11-13:
"11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Through all the pain and immense suffering, Paul was still able to stay upbeat and happy. How? Further, how could he be happy like that in light of the fact he was persecuted more than you or I ever will be? Before we get into that, however, consider one more passage. I believe this passage sums up the state of desperation in which we sometimes find ourselves.
1 Corinthians 1:8-9:
"8For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;"
Paul said that they were so afflicted that they despaired even of life--not that they were suicidal--but that they just wanted God to go ahead and take them home if their present situation wasn't going to change. Have you ever felt like that? You're not suicidal, but you feel that living life isn't worth the pain it takes to live it? "God just move me on if this is what I have to deal with"? If you have, read on.
Paul responded to his situations using the following methods.
1. Paul Also Trusted in Seeing the Good of God Come to Pass
2 Corinthians 1:9-11:
"9indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;
10who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
11you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many."
"...He on whom we have set our hope." Paul hoped only in God. Indeed, they despaired so that they would depend only God--for only God could bring them out of the situation in which they found themselves. Are you in despair? Can't see the end of the night in sight? Latch on to God. Hold fast to nothing else. Look at God as your only option: the only way to win the fight, the only way to survive, the only way to be saved (for indeed He is the only way).
Also present in this passage is another principle of Scripture:
2. Have Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ Pray For You
2 Corinthians 1:11:
"
11you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.""
Have your friend pray for you! I got through some of the darkest times in my life only by the prayers of others for myself. To illustrate, let me you tell of one such time in my life.
I was laying in bed one night not so long ago, and I could not get to sleep. This had been going on for several days (in addition to being a particularly bad week) and I was at my breaking point. I literally thought to myself "God I can't live like this. I can take some of these problems, but if I have to be so tired I don't want to move when I wake up, I won't make it." I cried out to God "Please help me get to sleep. I cannot take this, You have to help me!" I kid you not, physically, I felt something in my head "unclench." I felt my tangled and racing mind just suddenly go at ease. It was akin to the peace Jesus brought upon the stormy waters when He and the disciples were in the boat together (Mark 4:35-41). It was as if the Holy Spirit of God said to my sleeplessness "Be still."
Now how does this relate to friends praying for you? It relates because of what happened after that night. I found out later that one of my dearest friends was awaken suddenly the same night I was having trouble and felt this strange burden to pray for me. They did and then went back to sleep. God listened to my prayer plus the prayers of others to meet a need I had. He answered it to the dot.
What do you do when you are in total despair? Turn to God, pray, and ask for the prayers of others.
Conclusion
If you're in one of those moments in your life that is so dark you can't even see your hand in front of your face, I hope you've been encouraged by God's Word. His is absolutely faithful--you just have wait, trust, pray, and seek the counsel and prayers of others. The greatest kings, leaders, prophets, and apostles of the Bible all have been where you have been--indeed most have been in situations far worse than you. But they (as well as you and I) all have one advantage over our despair that not the world, nor Satan, nor even our situations can overcome. And that, my friends, is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God bless,
Robert A. Rowlett
