Cross View Blog
Psalm 83/Now: Bone-Weary, Defeated, and Lonely
August 25, 2021
I am so depressed, O God.
I feel like I am the sole target
of an enemy barrage -
like all the demons in hell are bent
on damning my soul for eternity.
I remember Your promises,
but I do not witness their fulfillment.
I talk to people about Your love,
and they drown my enthusiasm with scorn.
I step forth to carry out Your will,
but I feel no sense of accomplishment.
I say the right words,
but my heart is not in them.
Then I fall like a wounded warrior,
bone-weary, defeated, and lonely.
And I wonder if You are truly my God
and if I am truly Your child.
Consume, O God, these demons that depress,
these enemies that plague my soul.
May the whirlwind of Your Spirit
sweep them out of my life forever.
May I awaken with a heart full of joy
and with strength and courage
to walk straight and secure
in the dangerous and difficult paths
before me.
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My Commentary
Everybody — believer and non-believer — falls into pits of depression from time to time. For the faithful it's when we no longer sense the joy and levity we once enjoyed. When the promises of God get "stuck on the page" but not in the heart. When we're living more on memories of His power than experiencing it in the moment.
Most of the famous saints tell of times when it seemed they were "running on empty" for long period. Mother Theresa of Calcutta described several years when she just "kept going", laboring without benefit of dramatic signs of the Lord's presence. Bone-weary and lonely, saints persist by faith, not by feelings or sight.
During dry times, doubt creeps in and saints become filled with self-doubt. "Am I truly God's child? Where is His power?" In fact, "Where is He? Give me a sign!"
It is during lonely dessert experiences when we are taught to dig deeper into the Word, to persist despite our feelings, to persevere whatever the circumstances. "Nevertheless" becomes our mantra. "Yet, still" our cry in the night. In faith, we put one foot ahead of the other trusting we are on the right road.
In the valleys of life we learn spiritual warfare as we plead with God's Spirit to consume the demons and send the enemy back to where he came from. We claim victory that we do not yet see. We shout an "alleluia" we can not yet feel. We stand our ground even when it seems no one else stands with us.
We fall asleep in the hope that "tomorrow is another day." God Himself alone knows what that new day will bring. He will determine when and if our burden will be lifted. He will not test us beyond what we are able, but will with the temptation provide a way out. Then our strength and courage will return. We will again emerge stronger and more secure in Him.
And if you doubt that outcome, ask any older Christian who's been around for a while. They will say, "Amen!"
Paul Emmel
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 22, 2021
Psalm 83 adapted from Psalms/Now by Leslie F. Brandt (Concordia: 1974, 1996).
Paul Emmel is a retired pastor in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, having served as a parish pastor, a correctional chaplain for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and a hospital chaplain and a community counselor. As a retired pastor, Paul continues to serve the Lord and His people, including establishing the Minnesota South District’s “Pastors to Prisoners” ministry.
December 11, 2021 04:40 PM CST
It would be great if these blogposts could have a share button with each one. I know someone who might need this word of encouragement. I would like to share it. Thx.