Despair, Hope, and Encouragement

Spare me so I can smile again, before I am gone and exist no more.

That’s a pretty dark word to end a Psalm with, don’t you think? Some translations express these words with even deeper pathos, “Look away from me (God) that I may enjoy life again….” Aren’t the Psalms supposed to be full of praise and warmth and love? Don’t we think that we are supposed to be full of praise and love in our relationship with God?

(photo credit)

But Psalm 39 ends with the heavy cry “Spare me so I can smile again…”

As David penned these words, he was obviously wrestling with depths of depression and despair. But he was also trusting God. In verse 7 he cries out “Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”

David’s battle, expressed in Psalm 39, included his attitude with others, his own rebellious heart, and his attitude towards God. In his frustration he twice vowed to not speak another word, only to continue to pour out his heart. He felt God’s anger, and yet drew close enough to plead…

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. (vs.12)

And finally closed with these stirring words of pain.

Spare me so I can smile again, before I am gone and exist no more.

Although the Psalms are not necessarily arranged in the order they were written, it can’t be a coincidence that the very next Psalm opens with these words.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair.
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be astounded.
They will put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40: 1-3)

And that’s exactly what God did in David’s life. David had many days of depression and despair, hopelessness and abandonment, defeat and miserable failure. But he continued to hope in God. And God was faithful to continue the work He was doing with David’s life. That’s why David could write what I call the “Philippians 1:6 of the Old Testament”.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me. (Psalms 138:8)

So today, because of God’s faithfulness and because of David’s trust in the middle of his battles, we continue to be encouraged by the life of this man.

• We are encouraged that God knew the shepherd boy was a king-in-training; even though his family did not recognize his value.
• We find courage as we watch young David face giants.
• We are challenged to honor and respect others, as we are amazed at David’s respectful treatment of murderous King Saul.
• Our hearts are stirred as God allows us a glimpse of the holiness of David’s and Jonathan’s friendship.
• We grieve when David falls into sin, but find hope for our own failures as we witness his repentance and restoration.

And we are humbled in astonishment and hope when we hear God speak “This was a man after My own heart.”

Yes, David had his day where he wondered if he would ever smile again. Where he wondered if he would simply cease to exist. But he waited in hope. And God lifted him up. Today, thousands of years later, David’s life continues to be an example of hope and light for those of us who battle with the realities of life.

If you are feeling despair, for whatever reason, know that you are not alone. Read David’s words, and be encouraged by his honesty. Find hope in the restoring grace that God pours over David’s life.

And know that God desires to do the same for us.

(This post is linked up to WFMW.)