Is despair the end or is there hope in God beyond our darkest moments? Let’s look at Psalm 88.
A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Suffering of Affliction.” A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. (WEB)
Where is ultimate safety in this dangerous world to be found?
You keep me safe, Lord God. So when I pray at night, please listen carefully to each of my concerns. (Ps 88:1-2 CEB)
Have we ever been so discouraged that we felt like God has forgotten us?
I am deeply troubled and close to death; I am as good as dead and completely helpless. I am no better off than those in the grave, those you have forgotten and no longer help. (Ps 88:3-5 CEV)
Have we ever felt like God was so angry with us that we were already in our grave, that waves of sorrow are drowning us?
You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah (Ps 88:6-7 ESV)
Have we ever been ostracized by friends, gossiped about and all alone?
You have distanced my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them. I am shut in and cannot go out. My eyes are worn out from crying. Lord, I cry out to You all day long; I spread out my hands to You. Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah (Ps 88:8-10 HCSB)
Do we sometimes feel like we are heading to an early grave?
Can your gracious love be declared in the grave or your faithfulness in Abaddon [destruction]? Can your awesome deeds be known in darkness or your righteousness in the land of oblivion? (Ps 88:11-12 ISV)
Do we ever feel like God has cast off our lives, and hidden His face from us?
But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. (Ps 88:13-15 KJV)
Do we ever feel like God is angry with us and removed people from our lives?
Your burning anger has passed over me; Your horrors have destroyed me. They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether. You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness.(Ps 88:16-18 LSB)
How did the apostle Paul deal with despair in his life?
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead (2 Cor 1:8-9 NASB)
Is despair the end or is there hope in God beyond our darkest moments? You decide!
