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When you feel Overwhelmed



            The twenty-second Psalm is one of the most depressing of all. 
            In it, David complains that he feels like God has abandoned him and that God can neither hear nor save him (verse 1).  He cries out night and day, but God does not answer (verse 2).  His enemies have surrounded him and are tearing him apart like a “Roaring lion tears apart its prey” (verses 12-13).  He notes that “My bones are out of joint… my heart has turned to wax and melted within me… my strength is dried up… I can count all my bones… and people stare and gloat over me” (verses 14-17).  We do not know the exact circumstances that are causing David to feel like this, but it is obvious that he is at one of the lowest points in his life.  He is in a very bad place physically, mentally and spiritually.
            One of the blessings of this Psalm is simply that it gives us permission to be honest with God.  Sometimes we act as though Godly people should never struggle, or that faith should fix everything.  However, this Psalm reminds us that David was a real person who had real trouble and lived with very real fears and doubts.  It also shows us that he was not afraid to pour these feelings out before God.  Faith does not guarantee an easy life.  What faith does offer, instead, is a perspective and a place to go with our issues and fears.  Never be afraid to tell God how you feel.  He already knows!
            Oddly, the twenty-second Psalm does not end on a really happy note.  There is no real resolution to David’s problem.  There are no answers on the horizon.  He simply says, “Life is really hard right now” and that is the end of it.
            However, notice one other thing:  The twenty-second Psalm is always followed by the twenty-third Psalm!
            One of the saddest and most gut-wrenching pieces that David ever wrote is followed by one of the most treasured and encouraging.  The twenty-third reminds us that, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me…” (Verses 1-3).
            This is not an accident.  The honest struggle of the twenty-second Psalm is followed by the great reminder of help and care from the “Good Shepherd” in the twenty-third because God wanted us to remember that even when things look their worst, he is still here.  He is still guiding.  He knows the way even when we don’t. 
            Never forget that the twenty-second Psalm is always followed by the twenty-third!

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