June 16

Cast Down? Why?

O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar. — Ps 42:6 BSB

The lament of the soul—its cause! Many have reached this point. Jacob said, “All these things are against me.” Job complained that God had refused to hear his prayers and had blocked his path. Elijah prayed for death. John the Baptist experienced doubt. Even our Lord cried out, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

This despair may arise from physical weakness. Our bodies, like finely-tuned instruments, can easily become tangled and out of harmony. When we are healthy and full of life, our souls sing wordless songs, basking in the love of God. But when life’s flame dims, our joy in the Lord and our sense of His love tend to fade.

It may also be a matter of temperament. Some people seem born under a cloud and carry a predisposition toward melancholy throughout life. Their hearts are set to a minor key, always noticing the storm clouds rather than the patches of blue. Thomas was such a man, yet Jesus called him to be an apostle! While joy often reveals a right heart, there are those who mourn in Zion, whose tears outweigh their smiles. But even the valley of shadow can lead to the Holy City, and those who walk it may find the valley of Baca transformed into a place of springs.

Now, for the cure. Focus on your standing in Christ! Our feelings are as fickle as April weather, but our position in Jesus is unchanging. John Bunyan once said he had two kinds of money—what he kept in his bank and what he carried in his pocket. The money in the bank was secure, while the coins in his pocket were ever-changing. So it is with our relationship with Christ. Our feelings may shift, but our “capital” is secure in the strong hands of Jesus.

Stop looking inward and live in the forward progress of Christ’s kingdom. He is always moving toward new victories. Why stand still and dwell on your feelings? Why are you downcast, O my soul? Take your place in His ever-victorious army! Even Miss Feeblemind and Mr. Ready-to-halt, under the care of Great-heart, crossed the River singing!

Prayer

Gracious God, let me see the rainbow of hope in the storm clouds of my life. Help me rest confidently in the covenant sealed by the precious blood of Christ, ordered in all things and sure. Amen.