The psalm begins with an enormous cry: I cry out to God. That's the whole honest effort to reach out, and at first there's no answer. He seeks God in the night, and his soul refuses comfort. We've all been in this space where nothing helps, where sleep won't come, where distraction fails us.
What the psalmist does then is remarkable. He doesn't try to think positive thoughts or convince himself things are fine. Instead, he thinks about God's works. He remembers his deeds from long ago. He's essentially putting his mind to work, recalling specifics of how God has shown up in history.
This is such different medicine from what we usually try. We tend to tell people to focus on the present moment or their current feelings. But the psalmist suggests something older: let your mind travel backward to find solid ground. Recall the specifics of God's faithfulness. Not to deny your current pain, but to remind yourself you've never been abandoned before. That's a pathway through darkness that actually works.
No comments yet. Be the first.