End of My Rope

End of My Rope

 

PSALM 142:1-6- “1 I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. 3 When my spirit grows faint (exhausted) within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare (trap) for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. 5 I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.”

King David is at the end of his rope. He is exhausted. Have you ever been there? Perhaps you’re even feeling that way right now.

David is running for his life, being unfairly hunted by bloodthirsty men. As a result, in this Psalm David is largely wrestling with the concept of evil. Why does God allow evil?

Here is the essence of human nature- We choose to love or to hate, do good or do evil. The record of history bears eloquent and chilling testimony to the fact that we humans have actualized the reality of evil through our choices.

Because humanity is fallen, this temporal world is sin cursed. However, in the face of evil, God gives Christ followers an eternal picture to look at. This life is only a blip on the radar of eternity. Our years are short. Time is precious. Because of this, the Lord uses the tough times in our lives to produce perseverance and maturity. 

Our relationship with Jesus is all we can take into the next life. As with King David, it is in the tough times that we learn and grow with God the most. We can look back at various challenging times and see His Hand (even if we may not want to because it can be painful). We can fully trust in the Lord because of His proven character.

The Bible reassures us in James 1:3-4 that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Keep Looking Up,

Rev. Jon Barrett | Director of CVCCS