"I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me"
(Psa. 23: 4 kjv)
In this chapter we will look at the seventh way God comforts his people, which is by inspiring hope on a deep level within the soul, especially through prayer and meditation. In the previous chapter we had a good bit to say about the hope of Christians, which is none other than a "hope in God," and a hope in his word. So said the inspired Psalmist: "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God" (Psa. 42: 11 nkjv); And, "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word." (Psa. 119: 114 nkjv) Such hope and expectation is an anchor to the soul, as we saw.
In my post titled "Making Sense Of Life Circumstances" (See here) I cited the text where Paul writes: "no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." (I Thess. 3: 3) The words "be moved" are from the singular Greek word "σαίνεσθαι (sainesthai)" and is only used here in the new testament and means 1. to wag (as a dog its tail), 2. to shake, 3. to disturb (figuratively), or to be agitated emotionally or in one's thoughts. Said one topical lexicon:
"Classical writers used the verb behind (Strong’s 4525) for the gentle, rhythmic wag of a dog’s tail or the rocking of a boat on small waves—movements that lull rather than jolt. Carried into Christian vocabulary, the word pictures an external force that coaxes the human spirit off its firm footing, persuading rather than overpowering."
This anchor of hope will keep the Christian from being "moved" out of psychological safe harbor into turbulent mental storms in the sea of thought and emotion. Notice these words of the apostle Paul:
"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20: 22-24 nkjv)
Though the word "move" in this text is not from the same Greek word as in the previous text with the word "move," it nevertheless describes the same idea. Albert Barnes in his famous commentary wrote:
"Move me - Alarm me, or deter me from my purpose. Greek: "I make an account of none of them." I do not regard them as of any moment, or as worth consideration in the great purpose to which I have devoted my life."
The words "neither count I my life" express what he means by way of paraphrase -- "I don't account (or mentally reckon) such chains and tribulations, nor even my life (psuche - soul), as worth consideration or focusing upon."
This makes me think of the song "I shall not be Moved" which says:
1 I shall not be, I shall not be moved.
I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
Refrain:
Like a tree planted by the water,
I shall not be moved, be moved.
2 When my cross is heavy, I shall not be moved,
When my cross is heavy, I shall not be moved; [Refrain]
When my burden's heavy, I shall not be moved; [Refrain]
This reminds us of what Paul said in his Roman epistle:
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. 8: 18 nkjv)
By the words "I consider" he means practically the same thing as when he said "I account" or "I reckon" that these sufferings are not worth being overly depressed about, seeing they are temporary, and of little significance in the grand scheme of things, seeing that the rewards that will come to him in glory far outweigh the costs of such trials, sufferings, losses, etc. He also wrote:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Cor. 4: 16-18 nkjv)
The words "lose heart" are used twice in this chapter (verses 1 & 16) and are from the Greek word "ἐγκακοῦμεν (enkakoumen)" and is translated as "faint not" (kjv) or "give up" in some other English translations. Thayer says the word means "to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted." Similarly Paul wrote: "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Heb. 12: 3 nkjv) Notice what prevents the Christian from being destroyed by despair, and what insures that far greater good will come from his trials. It is God's working providence that will make this so. It is the believer's recognition that all his sufferings are only "for a moment," and will be richly rewarded, that acts like an anchor to him when he is tempted and tried, and will keep him from prolonged depression and melancholia.
The severity of the trials and afflictions will seem "light" when the Christian has a healthy outlook on the future, so long as he or she does not look (or focus) on the visible and temporal things, but rather focuses on things eternal and invisible, such as on God's "eternal power and Godhead." (Rom. 1: 20 kjv) So did Moses by "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt" and because "he looked to the (promised) reward." (Heb. 11: 26 nkjv) Moses endured his trials by focusing on his future reward and destiny. Christians can be spared from falling into deep depression by "not losing sight of" God, his word, his promises, his faithfulness and omnipotence, and his omnibenevolence. So the apostle Paul exhorted believers: "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col. 3: 2 nkjv) In other words, focus your attention towards God and heaven, by "fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Heb. 12: 2 niv). The apostle Peter walked upon the water to Jesus by faith and by focusing his eyes on Jesus, but when he turned his eyes to the troubled sea, he began to sink. When a believer is able to steadily focus his attention on Christ and his word he will say as did Paul:
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (II Cor. 4: 8-9 nkjv).
The poet Alexander Pope said -- "Hope springs eternal in the human breast." But, this is surely true in the highest sense for those who trust in God. There should always be an optimistic spirit in a genuine believer. He should always be able to say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4: 13) About such optimism for the future, through faith in God, Solomon said:
"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off." (Prov. 23: 17-18 esv)
God in his oracle to the prophet Isaiah also gave his people this assurance:
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40: 31 nkjv)
Waiting on the Lord and trusting in him will cause you to rise above your troubles, like eagles ascending in the sky. Strength to persevere will be renewed too and will keep you from becoming mentally and emotionally exhausted and fainting in the way. Peter encouraged the persecuted Christians by assuring them that their trials and afflictions, "though now for a season" and put them "in heaviness through manifold temptations," and was a severe "trial of your faith," nevertheless was "much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire," and will surely "be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:6-7). So the old hymn "Farther On" says:
1 Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder,
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested though in the wrong.
Refrain:
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, don't worry, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
In the opening paragraph of this chapter I said that the chief way in which God inspires inner hope in the soul is "especially through prayer and meditation." So, let me speak of that.
The Way of Prayer & Meditation
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms." (James 5: 13 nkjv)
Singing jubilant songs of praise is generally not the way to deal with mental anguish and sufferings. So Solomon said: "Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." (Prov. 26: 20 nkjv) Of course, though this is true generally, it is not universally true. Why? Because there are what we call "the blues" in music, and songs that are written in what are called "minor keys" and which are helpful in relieving melancholy and depression. Many of the Psalms seem to be written in minor keys, with some psalms beginning in a happy major key and then switch to doleful minor keys, and back and forth. Years ago my father bought a book titled "Psalms in a Minor Key" (published in 1973 by Edwin Armerding) which he loaned to me and I read. That book details what I just stated. In the most trying and depressing times in my life I have always resorted to reading the Psalms, for the Psalmists were oftentimes sad and depressed. But, they also show the way out of such states.
Prayer, however, is the chief way to deal with your troubles and cares, with your anxiety and worry, and with all your "fretting." In fact the exhortation "fret not" is seen in several psalms, and with those exhortations come reasons why the follower of the Lord ought not to fret.
Sadly, many of the Lord's people suffer from what is called "learned helplessness," which is a psychological state where individuals stop trying to improve their circumstances after experiencing repeated, uncontrollable, or traumatic stressors, believing their actions will not impact outcomes. Even dogs can experience it. In fact, an experiment was done wherein a dog was in an enclosure that had a kind of "electric fence" area so that when the dog crossed the line he would be shocked. After a few shocks the dog remained shivering in fear in a corner of the room. Martin Seligman’s experiments in the 1960s demonstrated that dogs subjected to inescapable electric shocks learned to be helpless, failing to escape even when the opportunity was later provided. People also learn to be helpless in the same way. But, with Christians it ought not so to be, for the reasons we have shown thus far in this series.They ought not to be frozen in place by fear. Let me close with the words of two old hymns about how prayer helps believers endure sufferings.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
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