Worn Out? Look Up.

Do you know what it is like to feel defeated? To be worn out, beaten down, and totally immersed in whatever problems you are facing? David most certainly did. In Psalm 69, David is worn out from crying. He is physically exhausted from crying out to God to save him from his enemies, and yet, he still trusts that God will rescue him. “Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire. I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help, my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping waiting for my God to help me.” (1-3) When we are overwhelmed with our problems, completely beaten down, and exhausted from crying; we are tempted to turn away from God, to quit following him, and to stop trusting him. It is so easy to get caught up in our problems that we lose sight of the problem solver, but if we spend all our time focusing on our problems and not on the only one who can solve them, we start to lose all hope, until there is none left. Hope in God is the anchor we need to hold us when the storms of life rage against us. If we take our focus off of God in the midst of a storm, it’s no wonder we get tossed around by the waves. It’s no wonder we get worn out, frustrated and tired. The truth is that even when you don’t see something happening to immediately rescue you from your problems, that doesn’t mean that God is ignoring you. He hears you. He sees you. He knows what you are going through. Waiting on his timing is the key. I’ve learned that his timing is never my timing, but it is always the right timing. God heard David’s cries for help, every single one of them. God hears yours too. He loves you greatly. In this life there will be many problems that will come your way, but God is faithful and he will be right by your side each and every step of the way each and every day. He will never leave or forsake you. There will be others in this life who will reject, and turn away from you when you need them, but God is always faithful. I encourage you, the next time you are faced with difficulty to keep your focus on God, who loves you with an everlasting love. He hears your cries and has the power to rescue you from anything that threatens you. Cling to Him. Keep your focus on Him and praise him, at all times, even in the midst of trouble. When you come out on the other side, you’ll see God was right there with you the whole time. “The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people” (32-33)