Life can be good. Like right now, I would say my life is good! But life can be bad. So bad that you need a better word than ‘bad’ to describe it – like devastating! Like when my dad suddenly died. Or when someone I was pouring myself into accused me of being a fake. Or when a good friend suddenly decided to stop talking to me.
Those are not pleasant moments. I felt empty, without hope, security, or purpose. What are you supposed to do in moments like that? Saying the sun will come out tomorrow – that just doesn’t seem to cut through the devastating gloom.
Even God’s people had such devastating moments, and in Psalm 119, verses 81 to 88, we get to see the internal thinking of one of God’s saints. Here was a person who honored God, obeyed God – and yet, they felt like their life was at an end. I’m only speaking briefly, but these are verses of deep emotion and anguish.
In facing devastation, the Psalmist gains stability from God’s Word. “My soul languishes for your salvation; I wait for Your Word. My eyes fail with longing for Your Word.”
The Psalmist gains assurance from God’s plan. “How many are the days of Your servant.”
The Psalmist remembers that God is faithful, “All Your commandments are faithful.”
Finally, the Psalmist finishes by focusing on God’s love, “Revive me according to your lovingkindness.”
None of these mean the Psalmist felt better. Or the situation changed immediately. But they do show us that God is there for you in your darkest moments. His Word, His Plan, His Presence, His Love soothes and comforts you. Like the Psalmist, when life is devastatingly bad, cry out to the God who is your help!