The Rev. Alexander Whyte was a Scottish minister and author of the 19th century known by his congregation as a man of an unwavering grateful spirit. Regardless of the circumstances, he seemed always to find something for which to be thankful. One of his parishioners told a story about a gloomy Sunday morning when a friend commented, just before the service started: “Certainly the preacher won’t think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this.” However, no sooner had the man said these words, the reverend opened the service with a prayer: “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.”

The story reminded me of a research I did several years ago for a message I prepared for my first large conference as the keynote speaker. As I prayed about the theme of the message, I felt led to Psalm 42. The first verse of this psalm became well-known inside the Christian community after Seattle-native Martin J. Nystrom launched the song “As the Deer” in 1984.

“As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.”

Both the song and the psalm’s emphasis are on the writer’s trust, love and hope in God, but a study on chapter 42 in its entirety finds a man fighting against the shadows of depression that threaten to steal his peace and his faith.

Scholarly opinions diverge concerning the authorship of this psalm. Some believe the “sons of Korah” wrote Psalms 42 to 49. They were a clan of Levites appointed by King David as the temple’s musicians. According to these scholars, these psalms were composed during the Babylonian exile when the writers were far from their homeland and their place of worship, fighting depression and reminiscing the days when they worshipped in Jerusalem’s temple.

Other scholars, such as the notorious Matthew Henry, attribute this psalm to King David. As Henry states in his commentary: “(…) we may conjecture that it was penned by (David) at a time when, either by Saul’s persecution or Absalom’s rebellion, he was driven from the sanctuary and cut off from the privilege of waiting upon God in public ordinances.”

We may not be sure concerning this psalm’s authorship, but the sentiment behind the famous words is broadly familiar. As one reads Psalm 42, one finds a man caught between depression and faith, struggling to keep his heart anchored in God’s promises while facing desperate circumstances.

“My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (v.3)

The author’s pain and sense of isolation are deep and real, and yet, as we read on, we witness his steadfast determination not to succumb to depression:

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, for the help of His presence.”

The psalm is, by all accounts, a lesson in thanksgiving during difficult times. And I believe it is a message much needed this year, as many of God’s faithful children have faced incredible hardships or find themselves isolated from their loved ones this Holiday season.

Depression is indeed one of the most common emotional issues during life’s difficult trials. This psalm reveals a man caught in deep emotional pain but who refuses to succumb to its tentacles. His answer is simple yet challenging to anyone in the middle of a personal crisis: He looks back to remember God’s faithfulness in the past and looks forward, by faith, declaring that the same God who was faithful then, is still faithful now.

Remember God’s faithfulness in the past and look forward, by faith, declaring that the same God who was faithful then, is still faithful now. @AJC #Mondaydevotional #MondayMotivation #Thanksgiving2020 #Thankful
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God had not abandoned him, and His deliverance would undoubtedly come. The author proclaimed God’s redemption, even though his eye did not see it coming.

Maybe this holiday season finds you in a similar place. Perhaps like the author of Psalm 42, your life has changed so dramatically that you find your heart’s song wavering between depression and hope, anxiety and trust. Maybe, like a deer panting for water, your soul is dry, longing for God to revive it again.

If that is you, let the psalmist’s lesson on Thanksgiving guide you today. Look back. Remember the countless ways that God rescued you in the past.

And then, just as The Rev. Whyte boldly declared his trust and thanksgiving to God on that gloomy day, dare to say:

“We thank Thee, O God, that it will not always be like this.”

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, November 21, 2020. Click HERE to read it on the AJC’s website.

Hard to find things to be grateful for these days? Do as the author of Psalm 42 did: look back, remember God's faithfulness in the past, and rejoice! The same God who was faithful then... is faithful today and forevermore. @AJC…
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For the past several weeks, I have been writing a blog series titled “Six Signs You Are Heading in the Wrong Direction.” This week, Sign #4 was on my weekend column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). If you need to catch up and read the first 3 signs, just follow the links at the end of this post.

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Patricia

He was supposed to be at war, but, instead, he sent Joab to lead the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites.

Night falls, and the king cannot sleep. So, he goes to the roof of the palace, where he sees a beautiful woman bathing. Instead of looking away, his gaze lingers, and lust sets in his heart. David then calls for Bathsheba, the wife of one of his faithful soldiers. He sleeps with her, and she conceives a child.

In a twist and turn of events that rivals the plot of any best-selling novel, David invites Uriah, the betrayed husband, into the palace, eats and drinks with him, and eventually orders the army’s general to send the poor guy to the frontline and withdraw all help, so that the man could be easily killed in battle. Thus, a merciless, cunning, evil plot stained the beautiful life story of the king that God called “a man after my own heart.”

For thousands of years, David’s life has been one of the most highlighted stories in Scriptures: The lion-killing, giant-slaying young boy, appointed king because of the purity of his heart and faithfulness to his God. The mighty, conquering king, who slipped and fell into a spiraling wave of sins — from adultery to lies to murder. The repentant man, who cried out to God in anguish, seeking his forgiveness and redemption. The forgiven king, who realized his mistakes, turned his life around and got back on track, following God’s plan until the end of his days.

When we come to this part of David’s story, there is no doubt: The king was heading in the wrong direction. He could certainly have avoided the first sin by looking away, and yet, he gave in. That was his first misstep. Instead of stopping there, he used his kingly authority to lie with a married woman — the second step on the wrong road. He could have stopped there. But he went on. Lying. Killing.

All along, David knew better. Deep down, he knew he was wrong. But he dismissed the signs: the lack of peace and anxiety that flooded his heart … God’s commandments that had been broken. Indeed, he was blinded by lust and pride, determined to get his way. That’s when God, in his mercy and grace, sent David one last chance: Nathan, the prophet.

Nathan was not a stranger to the king. He was the one who announced the covenant God made with David, to build an eternal dynasty for his house, wherein Messiah would come. Nathan was involved in the music of the temple, one of David’s passions. Nathan knew David. And, as good friends (and prophets) do, he did not withhold the truth. Nathan told it like it was.

An old Jewish proverb says: “A friend is one who warns you.”
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I could not agree more.

I look back and reminisce the times I was heading in the wrong direction, either missing or ignoring signs, when someone close to me was used as a lighthouse, shedding light on the path I had chosen. Their wise insights opened my eyes to see dangers, rebuked sin, or answered my prayers. Those situations have made me sensitive and humble to listen to the voice of wise friends, and inspired me to become that same voice in the lives of the people I love.

Conversely, we do have to be careful, because many times people will give us wrong and unwise advice. There are undoubtedly those so-called friends who “tell it like it is” out of jealousy or unkindness. We can easily identify those. However, when a kind, wise and godly person points out that something we are doing is either unwise or simply wrong, as uncomfortable and unsettling as it may be, it is wise to leave our pride aside and listen carefully.

Just as it happened to King David, they may just be a tool God is using to bring us back to our senses, turn us around, and save us from a lifetime of headache and loss.

Before dismissing them as nosy, let us think again. They may be our last warning sign.

This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday, April 14th, 2018.

If you would like to read the other messages on this Blog Series, click below to visit each blog post:

Blog Series: Six Signs You Are Heading in the Wrong Direction

Sign # 1 – You have no peace about your decision

Sign # 2 – An Overwhelming Schedule

Sign # 3 – Your Decisions and Actions Contradict Scriptures

Sometimes it's hard to know if we are in the center of God's will. In this blog series, you can read about 6 signs that you may be heading in the wrong direction. Check it out!
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The post Sign #4 – Dismissing Godly Counsel {Blog Series: Six Signs You Are Heading in the Wrong Direction} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

For more on this passage, read 2 Samuel 21

“Now when the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David went down and his servants with him; and as they fought against the Philistines, David became weary. Then Ishbi-benob, who was among the descendants of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight, was girded with a new sword, and he intended to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.” (2 Samuel 21:15-17 – NASB – emphasis added)

According to scholars, the date of the events in these last chapters of 2 Samuel are uncertain. But we know that they happened towards the end of King David’s reign, after Absalom’s and Sheba’s rebellion.

The surroundings were familiar. The sounds were the same. Battle sounds.

Indeed, the scene depicted on the twenty-first chapter of 2 Samuel must have felt as déjà vu for old King David. Although the Philistines had been subdued so that their army was modest in size, they still had giants to bring to battle.

And as long as there were giants to fight the anointed King of Israel, the enemy would never give up.

Four Goliaths this time!

Four descendants of the one brought down with a little stone and whole lot of faith, had come to revenge their father.

Nope, the Giants never give up.

It’s a passage in the history of King David that one can easily skim through without second thought.

It’s the winding down of a life marked by righteousness and sin, victories and defeats, strengths and weaknesses.

It’s the fight against his last enemies, who were much like his first. Only more.

And yet, as the king drew strength from his God, leaning on the people who loved him to protect him, victory was his yet again. David fainted… but he did not flee. He kept his ground, and even though others fought for him, the victory was still his.

This account of the life of David, carefully placed, just before his song of deliverance and his last song (2 Samuel 22,23), taught me several lessons regarding the battles I face.

It’s a strong reminder that the giants never give up on those who seek to please God. Rather, they often become bigger, mightier, more…

Giants never give up on those who seek to please God. Rather, they often become bigger, mightier, more
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It reminds me that my strength may fail me in battle. And I may become weary, and discouraged (v.15). And yet, so long as my heart is anchored on my God… so long as my life reflects His righteousness, justice, goodness and love, I have nothing to fear.

I may be too weak to fight, but even then, He sends friends who lift me up in prayer, thus strengthening my arms for battle… and sometimes even fighting the giants for me.

Like Aaron and Hur for Moses… (Exodus 17:12)

Like Abishai for David… (v.17)

The story made me realize that the giants may come back with stronger weapons and new tactics, but so long as I have Yahweh on my side, even in my weakest moment, I am strong In Him.

It’s true, my friend – powerful enemies will never give up on God’s people.

But neither does our God!

Trust Him for the battle. It belongs to Him, anyway.

David shouted this Truth to that first Giant, when he was but a boy. And watched it continue to unfold until the day he died:

The battle is the Lord’s! The battle is the Lord’s! (1 Samuel 17:47)

Your battle belongs to your God.

Your only job is to love and obey Him.

The rest… is His to do.

Are giants taunting you again?

Are they even stronger than before? Bigger? More?

My prayer is that you stand up, and do as David did:

• Do your part – do not give up. Get up and fight. (v.15)
• Ask for reinforcements – Call on a few good men (and women) to pray. (v.17-22)

But first and foremost, rest in the assurance that God is fighting for you.

He always will.

When you face your giants that way, you can confidently join King David’s song:

“For by You I can run upon a troop;

By my God I can leap over a wall.

“As for God, His way is blameless;

The word of the Lord is tested;

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

“For who is God, besides the Lord?

And who is a rock, besides our God?

(2 Samuel 22:30-32)

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Click for PDF: Manipulating Gods timing 04.28.15

Passage: 1 Samuel 24

Key Verse: ““May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.” v.12

David and his men had been hiding when they heard the footsteps of a man entering the cave. Startled, he oddly shifted on the ground, careful not to make a sound that would denounce his presence. He stretched his neck to look towards the sound. His heart skipped a beat. It was him, the man he admired and loved, yet, his enemy. The very one who sent David fleeing for his life into the wilderness, was entering his hiding place.  It didn’t take long for David to realize that Saul had not entered the cave to capture him. He was just looking for a private place to relieve himself. David was armed and had a small army of supporters who would have loved nothing better than to vindicate their leader. Saul was unprepared and unsuspecting. David had the perfect opportunity to seek vengeance for the years robbed from him, as God’s chosen king had to flee for his life and live like a criminal in the wilderness of Engedi.

“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” V.4

My vivid imagination cannot help but ponder his dilemma: “I can end his life and take the crown that is rightfully mine. I can go live a normal life again. I can finally claim the throne… Or I can let him go.”

You know the story. David cuts off the edge of Saul’s robe… and spares his life. Later on, he even regrets having touched the King’s robe:

“But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” V.5-6

His righteous demeanor amazes me.

He could have shortened his journey to the crown. But He feared God enough to know that one wrong does not justify another. He chose the long road. And even though the voices around him told him God was giving him the opportunity for vengeance and freedom NOW, David knew better. In his spirit, he believed God’s promise and would not take a shortcut and compromise. Even though there’s no doubt he was tired of hiding and waiting, God’s chosen one would not take the easy way out and manipulate God’s timing.

As I think about this crucial moment in King David’s history, I can’t help but ponder about how tempting it is to manipulate our circumstances to fulfill the longing of our hearts. Haven’t we all fell into this trap one way or another? Truly, each time we face challenging trials and the arid desserts of waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled, it becomes so very easy to manipulate our circumstances to shorten the storm… and bring forth some much anticipated relief for our times of trouble.

It seems unfair, doesn’t it? It’s as if God’s children are always on His list of those who must wait to receive.

We see people who don’t care a thing about God prospering in all they do… and us, God’s children, seem to have to “hide in the cave” for just a bit longer… or be persecuted just a bit harder.

In the process of waiting for deliverance and peace, the world parades a multitude of soothing consolations for our weary and broken hearts…

… easy relationships that could hastily end our loneliness…

… thirty-day divorce procedures that could easily give us a way out of a difficult marriage…

… interest-free credit cards that would allow us to purchase what we want now…

… drugs and alcohol that would soothe our pain… if only for one day…

Nonetheless, God’s voice is the same to His children today as it was in that cave over three thousand years ago:

“Do you want My full blessing, pressed down, shaken together and running over?

Then you must give yourself unreservedly to Me. Trust Me and stay in the dark cave for just a while longer, waiting for the right time… and My perfect deliverance.”

The main reason we manipulate our circumstances and even try to manipulate God by twisting what His Word says is because we miss the big picture. Unlike David, we fail to recognize that there’s a reason for the waiting. We fail to see God’s hand in the cave… as He protects us and changes our hearts to prepare us for the task and the gifts He has for us.

David needed the years of persecution to reach his full potential as God’s anointed King. He needed to depend upon God for each day in order to conquer his fears… his inadequacy. As he waited and depended upon Yahweh (the God of the covenant) for protection, direction and peace, he became “the man after God’s own heart” that God so longed to see. Were it not for the cave, he would not have earned that title. Were it not for his waiting… and trusting… and waiting some more, he would not have inherited God’s promise (and anointing) at the appointed time.

Are you in the cave, hiding and waiting upon God for deliverance? Do not give into the temptation of shortening your stay, thus forfeiting God’s very best for you. Withhold the sword. Take a deep breath and affirm your trust in your Maker.

He knows just when you’re ready to come out and be set free.

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