(Psalm 142:4)
"No one loves me," you may be thinking. "Nobody cares about me at all!" You wince when you recall doing what is right and being deliberately misunderstood, rejected, and tossed aside. The pain intensifies as you look around only to see the world rushing by. You cry out with David:
"None cares for my soul!" (Psalm 142:4)
Friend, listen to one who has been there. Someone does care. And he has provided many friends for you who will help you through this.
Right now your tears blind you and your anger deafens you. You can see only the stormy waves and feel only the winds. You sense that you are sinking.
Take your eyes off of the storm and look up to Christ, coming to you across the raging sea. Stop for a moment on your headlong rush into despair and listen to the still, small voice of your God.
The 142nd Psalm is a diary of one who felt desolate and deserted. He was in deep trouble with the law and in danger of his life. Yet, as he prayed, God strengthened him by helping him to see clearly in the darkness of his hiding place. Look with the psalmist at these things he was shown.
You must, first, believe that the Lord does, indeed, care. David came to see that he could call out to him, and he did (verses 1-2). So must you.
"The LORD" is the faithful and covenant-keeping God of the Bible. He loves his people with an everlasting love. He has watched over them and has provided for them since Day One (even before). He chose them so that he could be their God and they his people.
But the crowning proof and demonstration of his unending care is the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for their sins. "But God setteth out his love toward us, seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) This pure and sinless God made the way for sinners to be forgiven and to come into his holy presence.
Cry out to Christ. Confess and renounce your wrongs. Plead that his death would pay for your sins. Ask him to take you under his wings. Petition the courts of heaven that the Lord would become your shepherd (see Psalm 23).
Then, pour out your complaint and describe your trouble. Tell him how you are overwhelmed and in danger. Discover that he is present and watching over you. "Thou knewest my path." (Psalm 142:3)
Tell him about being spurned, rejected, and how you have failed (verse 4). Learn that he will protect you and provide for you. "Thou art my hope and my portion in the land of the living." (verse 5)
Tell him of your discouragement and describe what your enemies have done. Cry out to almighty God about how weak and vulnerable you feel. Ask him to lift you up, to rescue you (verse 6), and to free you (verse 7).
The Bible emphatically declares that, if you will come to him, you will not be turned away. You will discover the powerful arms of his love and the bottomless cup of his bounty. You will see that he "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). He will supply all of your need. Your cup will overflow.
But this is not all. There is more. There is something else to consider.
You must also realize that there are many who also care about you. David drew strength from others who rallied around him. So must you. "Then shall the righteous come about me." (Psalm 142:7)
Not only has God provided family and friends, but he has placed his people in the company of others who have also gone through the deep waters. We, too, have experienced God's powerful grace, tender mercy, and rescue from sin and sinners. We reach out to you with love, encouragement, and hope.
Together, hand in hand, let us walk with you through your valley of shadows. Permit us to be your companions in fellowship. Share with us in love, in understanding, and in acceptance. Allow us to join in your tears and in your joy. When (not "if") we have come out on the other side, we will praise his name together and will celebrate his bountiful provisions. After this has passed, together we will worship our spectacular God :
"Praise the LORD, because he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let them which have been redeemed of the LORD show how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor." (Psalm 107:1-2)
Dear friend, you have been deeply hurt and you may feel quite frightened. But you are not alone. Our wonderful God calls out through the darkness:
"Come unto me, all ye that are weary and laden, and I will ease you." (Matthew 11:28)
Out of love and concern, we echo his call.
Copyright 1997, 2003 by Roger D. Adams.
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