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March 1, 2010 - Drowning in Despair

The circumstances of our times are unique and often frightening.  As we review the daily newspaper or watch the evening news we see a host of disparaging reports.  Wars, terrorism, disasters, political unrest, family fights, global warming or cooling, and economic woes are associated with the global struggles we face.  Divorce, teen delinquency, addictive behaviors, and unfortunately, even suicide are hallmarks of the despair that many are feeling.

Psalms 69:1-5 describes the pain many of our friends experience:

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you."

Someone once said, “It’s not the circumstances that are the problem, but how we respond to them.”  The same Psalmist gives us the answer to the problems that plague us.

"Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes." Psalm 69:14-18 (NIV)

My friends, aren’t you glad we serve a loving and gracious God who is always there to hear our prayers and provide the peace and comfort we need.  He promises to abide (tolerate, endure, withstand) in us.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:4-9 (NIV)

Bring all your concerns to Him who is able and capable of giving you peace and comfort to work through your challenges.