Most of us have faced days when life seemed pointless and it
seemed as if we just don’t belong here. For those of us who suffer from depression,
those days come out of the blue and far too often. Life is so hard sometimes.
Psalm 102 speaks to us as we suffer through these times.
Psalm 102:1
A PRAYER OF ONE AFFLICTED, WHEN HE IS FAINT AND POURS OUT HIS COMPLAINT BEFORE THE LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!
A PRAYER OF ONE AFFLICTED, WHEN HE IS FAINT AND POURS OUT HIS COMPLAINT BEFORE THE LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!
The title itself speaks volumes. The psalmist begins where
we should when we are afflicted; with prayer.
Psalm 102:2
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!
One thing I have come to embrace about my depression is that
it drives me to God. Whether it is chronic depression or you are just passing
through a difficult season of life we can call on our father in heaven to hear
us when we pray.
Psalm 102:3
For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
Feelings of nostalgia often hit us during the holiday season
when we lament the days of past. Growing old I miss those who have passed on
and as I think of my children, all grown up, I realize how fast life has zipped
by. Physically growing old is hard as well and like the psalmist my bones burn.
Psalm 102:4-5
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.
Depression can ruin one’s appetite. It can sap your strength
and make the body weak.
Psalm 102:6-7
I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
Sometimes I just feel out of place and as if I don’t fit. Loneliness
will breed loneliness.
Psalm 102:8-11
All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse. For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink, because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse. For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink, because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
It’s bad enough when your enemies cast you down but the
worst thing is to feel as if God Himself has forsaken you.
Psalm 102:12-22
But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer. Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer. Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
The psalmist stops in the middle of his sorrow and pain. He remembers
who God is. He remembers God is eternal. He remembers God has a plan and He has
not forsaken His children. Jesus is coming back and when He does the world will
see. He will wipe away every tear in heaven. Because of Jesus those who have by
faith believed upon His name will be set free from the difficulties of life in
a sin-filled world. We have a hope and it is a sure hope for eternity when we
shall gather at the feet of Almighty God and worship Him.
Psalm 102:23-24
He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days. "O my God," I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days— you whose years endure throughout all generations!"
He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days. "O my God," I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days— you whose years endure throughout all generations!"
Sin is at the root of all our problems. It is through the
trials of this life by which God is refining us like a precious metal. He has
not deserted us .
Psalm 102:25-28
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
God does not change. He does not lie nor does He not fail to
keep His promises. So whenever depression starts to overcome us we must turn to
Him in prayer and we must open His Word and hear the promises He has made. We
have a hope and it is a sure hope in Christ. Yes, we shall groan and travail in
this life. But we must never take our eyes off of Jesus for He is our comfort
and our strength.
Amen.
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