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What we encounter in the bible, always certifies in some manner how God functions, how He associates with His people, with His children, with the individual. In His dealings we can perceive His character. When we trace some scripture, His faithfulness to His people for instance, becomes very clear, or His great mercy with His children.
When Moses wrote his books, or like here David his Psalms, then these were never written to exhibit: “See, what kind of an important person I have been, how God, the Lord witnessed to me!” – No, from both, is at times, their own failure reported. It truly revolves only around the Lord, in showing forth His character and His dealing, to encourage others to the faith and to follow. God deals with His children and so does He want to deal with us all.
From the statement of this Psalm, one can quickly establish that David suffered great inner needs and oppositions.
“Have mercy upon me, for I am in trouble, I am afraid! Mine eye is consumed with grief; yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief. (v10 & v11). There was a film years ago, which had the title: “Fear devours the soul”. The fear of the soul or the troubled soul, this is depression! Today it is not a strange concept anymore. What may be strange to us is: that men of the bible already experienced this – and even a “Great One” as David – one, of whom God says Himself, that he is a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).
Here begins the consolation, which comes from God’s word, so that the people of the bible do not seem to be unrealistic, that they were only people like we are – they also had weaknesses, oppositions, temptations, crises. Comparable to the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4 or even Jesus Himself, who was tempted in all points as we are (Hebrews 3:18 & 4:15). Let us view how David behaves in this situation. In a moment, when he comes to draw breath, he enters into a conversation with God: “Lord in thee do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me please in thy righteousness!
Bow down thine ear to me please, deliver me speedily! (Please Lord), be thou a strong rock and my fortress for a defence! (v2 & 3). David speaks with God – this is the first step – this is our first step!
He shows clearly that he is in outer and inner distress. But he also expresses his hope. Hope in seemingly hopeless situation: “Do deliver me You can do it! Lord, be to me the strong rock in the waves of attack, be to me the fortress in these distresses, as I can hide nowhere else!”
He then says: “In your hands I commit my spirit”, he yields himself completely to the overeignty of the faithful God. Through this “trusting in God”, his small hope receives new nourishment, yes, he gets encouraged. David can suddenly say: “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy”. I will, he is not glad as yet, he is still in his distress – but he wants to be glad! For what? For the kindness and mercy of God! This is the “Anchor from outside”, which gives the drifting ship the lost stability back again: Considering God’s mercy. How much of God’s mercy have we already experienced? Should it end in the time of crisis? No! – “In your hands are my times” (v16); also in times of fierce trials, also in time of depression. The mercy of God outshines it nevertheless.
The second step is done. It is God’s step! I may recognize, that He has looked upon my misery (v8)! Yes, misery is here but He, He looked at it. I am dear to Him. He has seen me in my need. He did not just look at it – He looked upon it, a last confirming look! Verse 8 can also mean: “I will be glad that you cared about my soul’s affliction” Without may be noticing it, God has in His faithfulness, undertaken for His Child. This becomes more impressive described in the known picture of the footprints in the sand: “I dreamed one night, I walked along the beach with my Lord. And it appeared before my eyes, like strips of lightening – my life. After that the last picture passed, I looked back and noticed, that in the most difficult times of my life only one trail of footprints was visible. This confused me very much and I turned to the Lord: “When I gave you my all at the time, everything I had, to follow you, you told me that you would always be with me. Why did you leave me when I needed you so much?” The Lord took my hand: “Beloved child, I never left you alone, certainly not in times of fear and need. Where you can only notice one trail of footprints in the sand, be quite sure: I HAVE CARRIED YOU.” “Wilt be glad, that you did not deliver me into the hand of the enemy” surely not handed over? Sometimes, one feels in these inner needs, as if one is helplessly delivered out – but no, though we sometimes come to the border, but the Lord will never let this happen! Moreover may we recognize: Thou hast set my feet in a large room.” He gives new perspectives, He gives
the right view – He loves us! He is our God!