The Word - Jan. 27, 2012 - God's Purpose in Discouragement

"I cried out to God with my voice; to God with my voice; And He gave ear to me" (Psalm 77:1)

The 77th Psalm provides invaluable insight for the troubled believer on how to deal with times of discouragement. When God seems the most distant, and peace and joy are only a faint memory, instant action must be taken. This is never easy, for at such times the last thing in the world you feel like doing is taking corrective measures.

It is also true that a discouraged believer will frequently seek a solution which disregards what God has to say. However, He knows our frame and in compassion the Lord waits for us to look to Him in our time of need. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who can truly alleviate the problem. This psalm of David provides wisdom that is specifically fitted for the believer who has come to the end of their wits, and desires God's answer.

The psalmist could only see his situation as "the day of my trouble"; the suffering in the night was not abated. Sleep could not be found. We read a list of inactivity and melancholy when even talking about the problem seemed useless. He was absolutely overwhelmed.

When we find ourselves in a similar situation, it is crucial that we acknowledge the fact that the real battle is going on within, and the devil is taking advantage of the situation. At this point we read that the psalmist "sought the Lord." in his time of distress, and the remainder of the psalm gives us God's answer.

Whatever hardship God allows to enter our lives, it is only to refine and strengthen our faith. We are to deal with the situation in spirit directed meekness and dependence upon the Lord for strength to endure through the storm. God may provide deliverance, and He may not. Regardless of the eventual outcome, it is His purpose and His perfect will for us on the midst of the trial to draw upon His storehouse of grace and discover His inexplicable joy as we trust Him for the outcome.