The Valley of Depression – 22nd March 2009 am
David has spent his fair share of time in Valleys – Valley of Elah (Oak) fought Goliath (1 Sam 17). Valley of Rephaim (Giants) fought Philistines (2 Samuel 5:18). Valley of Salt fought the Syrians (2 Samuel 8:13) He walked through the Valley of Shadows (Psalm 23) and now we see him in a Valley of Darkness, a Valley of Depression.
Psalm 143:1-12
This Psalm was written during the time of Absalom’s rebellion. This was harder on David than the years he spent running from Saul – the victory over Goliath was still fresh in people’s minds and David was a hero. Here however, Absalom had stolen the hearts of the men of Israel.
David conscience plagued him because of his sin with Bathsheba, he’d lost the sympathy of many in his kingdom and the youth had turned against him. Where could he go but to the Lord.
One day a preacher who had just lost his family to a tragic fire, and had fallen into the depths of a deep and dark depression was walking down a city street. There, he came upon a construction crew that was erecting a new church. He stopped to watch them as they worked, as he watched, he observed a worker who was busy carving a triangle out of stone with a chisel and hammer. Stepping closer, he asked the stonecutter what he was carving.
The worker pointed to the steeple of the church and said, "Do you see that small opening up there near the steeple? Well, I am carving this stone down here so that it will fit in up there."
The preacher was immediately stirred in his heart. He realized anew the faithfulness of God and came to understand that the valley he was in at the moment was God’s way of carving him down here so that he would fit in up there. We live in a world that is filled with people like this man, people who live their lives in depression, despair, despondency and defeat.
Through the ages, many famous people have been plagued with these types of trials. People like Charles Spurgeon and many of the hymn writers. Even a man who is known as "A man after God’s own heart." (Acts 13:22), David, suffered from depression and defeat. This Psalm came from a time of depression.
I. The Pain of this Valley
A. The Pain of No Help – Verse 3
The enemy was his own favourite son. So sure were the supporters of Absalom that David would be caught, it was if he was already dead, long dead, like he’d never been born. Israel had forgotten David, all his achievements, his good, kindly, kingly deeds, his generosity – all forgotten. There seems to be no end to the pain, and no light at the end of the tunnel.
Many people are in this dark valley of depression and there seems to be no way out.!
B. The Pain of No Heart – Verse 4
What an awful experience, to have a loved son turn against you. How terrible for a best friend like Ahithophel, to betray David Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Those who had served David so faithfully now treat him with indifference. All this rejection overwhelmed David’s soul.
Overwhelmed = shrouded, carries the idea of being encased in darkness; Desolate = Stunned, stupefied carries the idea of total astonishment. It’s as if David cannot believe what has happened to him. It’s as if he has no heart to go on.
Many walk in this dark valley today! Where family have turned against them, friends have let them down, those who said they would stand by them in through thick and thin, are now nowhere to be seen.
C. The Pain of No Hope – Verse 7
David tells the Lord how depressed he was, how fearful he was in this latest trouble to enter his life. He asks God not to hide His face from him. Faileth = To be at the end! David feels that he has reached the end of his rope and that if God doesn’t lift the veil of his darkness, then he is no better off than those who perish in hell!
What worse a fate can there be than someone dying in their sins with God’s face turned away? David asks God to keep His eye on him, to keep His face turned toward him.
If you are one of the many in this valley, let me tell you, there is hope for you today. You may feel that life has become unbearable. However, I want to encourage you this morning. With all the despair, there is also reason to rejoice in this Psalm. Notice:
II. The Prize in this Valley
A. The Prize Of Repentance – Verse 2
David had failed, and failed miserably, but he knew that no one can stand before God and plead his own merits. He knew his soul was doomed, let alone his kingdom, if he had to plead his own merits. Instead he acknowledged his guilt and asked God once more not to impute sin to him. Psalm 32:1-2 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Our Dark Valleys are not always caused by sin! However, when we begin to seek God, our sin will become an issue that must be dealt with, Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 1 John 1:9.
Regardless of whether or not sin is responsible for our valley, we are still sinners in need of repentance. Anything that brings us into a closer relationship with God is a prize!
B. The Prize Of Remembrance – Verse 5
David had much to remember! Instead of moping he began musing; instead of grovelling in guilt he looked to God; instead of thinking about what he had done, he started thinking about what God had done; instead of worrying about over the present with its troubles, he went back to the past with its truths. He thought about the God of yesterday and behold, He is the same yesterday, and today and forever.
Maybe David’s mind went back to his days as a shepherd boy and how God had protected him from the lions and bears. He though how God had been with him in the Valley of Elah.
When walking through the dark valley, remember what God has done. Review your life and read His word. It will refresh your heart!
William Cowper, that great hymn writer was in the depths of despair. He hired a carriage drive to take him to London Bridge. His plan was to throw himself into the river and end his life. However, when the driver picked him up and started for the bridge a thick fog had descended upon London. They found themselves driving for hours in dense fog.
Frustrated, Cowper demanded that the driver stop and let him out to walk. When he stepped from the carriage, he was shocked to find that he was standing in front of his own door. It became apparent to him that the Lord still had a use for his life. He entered his home and penned the words, "God moves in a mysterious way" – No 158)
When we are in the valley of depression, we need a fresh encounter with the Lord!
C. The Prize Of Reliance – Verse 6
Here David reaches out to God. It was a wonderful gesture, like a child putting out their arms to their daddy to be picked up and hugged. Such a gesture of love and trust brings an immediate response.
David’s soul was thirsty for God like a dry, parched, cracked ground that longs for the refreshing rains. David knew he couldn’t produce what he needed. Therefore, he looked to God. The dark valley will cause you to come to the end of yourself, and when that happens, you can begin to rely on a big God! Proverbs 3:5-6;
As terrible as the dark valleys of life are, they are also valuable. It is in the valley that we learn eternal truths about God that energize and strengthen our faith, yes, there is Pain. Yes, there are Prizes. But, thank God, there is a path out of the Valley of Depression.
III. The Path Out of this Valley
A. The Path Of Prayer - Verses 1, 6, 8a, 9a, 11-12
Several times in these verses, David refers to his prayers. I am certain that there were times when David wanted to stop praying, but he didn’t!
Prayer - We are commended to pray - Rom.12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;;
God has promised to answer prayer - Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Our duty is to pray! Pray when God says "yes", pray when He says "no", pray when He says "wait". Pray! Prayer is more than a religious activity; it is a path out of the dark valley!
B. The Path Of Praise – Verse 10b
In the midst of this sad Psalm, David issues a small word of praise. He reminds us that God is good! Every person who walks in the Valley of Depression this morning would do well to adopt an attitude of praise!
Job - Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, (21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (22) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.- He worshiped and didn’t accuse God!
Luther Bridgers was a native of North Carolina, he began preaching at the age of seventeen. His zeal as an evangelist often required him to be away from home while he preached. During one of these absences in 1910, his wife took their three boys to visit her parents in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. During the night, a neighbour noticed fire shooting from the house and ran to waken the family. The parents were roused in time, but Luther’s wife and boys could not be reached in the swiftly mounting flames. All four died.
Following this tragedy he penned the following hymn
There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
"Fear not I am with thee,
Peace, be still In all of life’s ebb and flow."
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
If we cannot praise the Lord in the valley, then we have no business praising Him when we are on the mountain! Ask yourself the following questions -
What can I praise Him for - Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Why should I praise Him? He is worthy - Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.;
It will help you - Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
C. The Path Of Practice – Verses 8b, 9b, 10a
David’s desire is to do the will of God. He relied on the Lord to help him and to direct him. Step by step David followed the Lord’s leading. He knew that the only One able to get him out of this valley was the One who said that He would never leave, nor forsake those who trust in His name.
This ought to be the goal of every saint! When we fail in walking with the Lord, we bring dishonour to Him and more discouragement to our own hearts.
1936 German Women’s Olympic 400 meters relay team! One of the runners dropped the baton. The French papers said they dropped the witness. Don’t drop your witness! A consistent walk is a path out of the Valley of Depression! You can beat the circumstance, don’t let it beat you!
Conclusion:
That personal relationship and consistent walk with the Lord Jesus will help the sufferer to come out of the valley. He has never failed others, He will never fail you!
