Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant
In today’s psalm, as painful as David’s turmoil is to read, it is also comforting to know that we are not alone in our places of worldly unrest or in our sinful nature. This psalm is not meant to darken a moment in our lives, rather it is meant to lead you and I away from the darkness of this world and it directs us to run to the only Light that exists, and that is the LIGHT OF CHRIST. It also reminds us of the fragility of life. You and I have work to do for the Kingdom of God and time is of the essence.
On Saturday, I attended the “Out of the Darkness St Petersburg Walk” for suicide prevention. I was filled with emotion as my family lost a member to suicide, as well as I battled deep depression and suicidal thoughts many years ago before knowing the Lord. When the emotional turmoil rose within me on Saturday, I looked up, and there in the sky was a rainbow. I smiled as I was reminded that after a great storm comes a rainbow. God spoke to Noah (in Genesis 9:12-17) about this sign, and how after He brought the greatest storm, He would then provide Noah with a sign (the rainbow) which was to represent His covenant with him and all of creation for generations to come. You and I are grafted into that same covenant with God. He wants to use our (storms) most difficult places, challenges, hardships, pain, grief, loss, and despair to bring us closer to Him so that we (rainbows) can shine as bright Lights for others to find or be reminded of His Kingdom. It is David who reminds us that “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18).
Keep running to the Lord, don’t look back, only allow God to use the past to remind you of just how far He has brought you, and how He will use your experiences, and growth from the past, to bring others to Him.
Psalm 39 (NLT)
For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath. Interlude
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to run to You. The world is so dark, and You are the only Light. When I feel turmoil, may You quicken me to look up to You. When I feel sin rise within my soul, my You turn me immediately away and towards You. Thank You for Your kids who shine brightly for You. Keep us strong, continue to guide us, cover us with Your protection, fill us with Your joy, and allow us to share Your love with a hurting and needing world. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.