SCRIPTURE: Psalm 88
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. [Psalm 88:3]
This is the only psalm that I know of that ends in darkness.
The writer is in despair, he has suffered most of his life and feels abandoned.
He is despairing of life, he sees no hope, darkness is his closest friend.
He is even doubting hope beyond death, so every possible hope is dashed.
Is he suicidal?
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch. [Mark 13:34]
Jesus is also overwhelmed to the point if death, and this is striking to me.
Was death by suicide more inviting than the death He knew was coming?
In this passage He also deals with His close friends falling asleep on Him.
He is very alone, feeling abandoned, despairing of what is still coming.
Jesus is in many ways a living embodiment of Psalm 88.
His story seems to end in darkness…
But darkness is not the end, and death is not the end of hope.
Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you? [Psalm 88:10]
The answer is YES!
Jesus is the conclusion of Psalm 88, the assurance of hope for those who despair to the point of death.
To those who endure the deepest despair and depression, Jesus has walked that same path and is with you even there.
Despair or depression do not separate you from God (though it feels like it), He is there with you and will lead you through this darkness into His light.
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. [2 Corinthians 1:8-9]
That we might rely on God!
PRAYER:
Lord, for all those who despair of life itself, enter their darkness and give them hope!
I feel exactly the same – iam overwhelmed with a dark mind – i wont bother to ask god for help because he wont help me. Dont know why i am alive. i have been depressed since 1987 – some may say it is the devil bit god is bigger than the devil but allows my life to be a miserable existence and no matter what i do things end up the same – with sadness, fear, disappointment. Fasting just makes my life worse. But one day it will end – one day I will sleep forever and I will be at peace – no point reaching for gods help he wont help me, i know that now – he has allowed so much sadness in my life words cant even express the places i have been to. And it will get worse, I know it will. I dont pray and ask god for much i know he wont answer – some people may say its the devil making me depressed – it is god that allows my life to be overwhelmed by the devil – who is so much stronger than me. But one day I may become ill, maybeget cancer because of my state of mind, or maybe a tumour or something.
I try to help others but iam not sure about myself – been depressed so long now probably cant handle being any other way
thats why iam single, no kids, lonely as hell – my capacity to share dwindles daily
My impression fo gid varies – he has been there for me but as mind mind gets darker and darker it affects how i see him, many would jump for joy to meet him in the flesh – me i acknowledge his presence because its the right thing to do but in my heart would rather sit in a dark quiet place and be left alone
Dont really know what he thinks of me i really dont – he allows so much sadness in my life it sapps my energy – just want to sleep sometimes
Dont believe it asking for much I know he will say “no” that is what i hear from him so often
Getting harder and harder to thank him for what he has done for me
I know one day he will allow me to be destroyed – each day moves towards this end – he gives then takes away – gives a little hope then disappoints in a debilating way
My end will come, one day – I know
Not much more to say – O know he will allow more and more sadness in my life that is more than I can can bear and when i think it has reached its peak – the sadness will continue at a more intense level
I struggle to be good but more is fading – but when it comes to and end – there shall be finally peace and i will suffer no more – that day i know will come
“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in darkness.” John 12:46 NLT
It is true that in the pit of despair and depression the presence of Jesus is not felt. How reassuring it is to know that Jesus is not only with us in the pit, but he also walked the same path.
We, like Heman (author of Psalm 88)can pour out our hearts to God, our grief and despair and he will hear and answer us.
Jesus truly is the light, the way out of the tunnel of despair, the way out of darkness.
The Psalmist has it right. ‘Lord, You are the God who saves me.’
Because I serve a risen Saviour, I know where I need to turn in my joys and in my sorrows. My prayers come before Him. Listen to my prayers Lord.
The rest of the Psalm is very dismal – almost hopeless. The author is overwhelmed, depressed, pressed sown on every side, at the end of his wits, friendless, attacked on every side by terror and despair, depressed, close to death.
And yet, he cries out to God. His morning prayers still arise. Day after day, He calls unto the Lord. Day after day he spreads out his hands before His Maker. Why? Deep within his being he knows that his Redeemer lives. We may never loose sight of that. Out of the depths I cry oh Lord to Thee. Lord hear me when I call. I may never loose sight of my prayers, my talks with my Creator God who gives me all that I need and more so that I can a conqueror be – God’s champion. And Jesus was His Champion. And He was without friends. And He was cut off from God. All for God’s sake, so that I can live. Alive. Alive, forevermore!
Thank You Lord for the hope in Christ Jesus. As Christ constantly came to You in prayer, help me to live out of my prayers, my talks with You, Help me this day in my prayer walking.
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Chorus:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask my how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the king!
The hope of all who seek him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.