“My soul is downcast within me: therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon — from Mount Mizar.” — Psalm 42:6
Charlie finished weed-eating his yard and watched the sunset. As he saw the sun sinking lower and lower until it was dark, he thought about his large debts and his small bank account. His wife, Betsy, was inside with a terrible cough and she had lost her ability to taste or smell. The medicine was helping some, but he was praying for his wife and others in the community. His heart sank, just like the setting sun.
When we are discouraged by our circumstances and don’t see improvement, it’s helpful to read about Bible characters going through some of the same low places. Though Joshua was a mighty warrior, he gave in to despair when Israel suffered defeat. “And Joshua said, ‘Alas, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!” (Joshua 7:7). Soon after, the Lord would teach Joshua to rise above his disappointment and march forward into the land that He had promised.
When King David found himself down in a valley, he looked above the mountains to God Almighty, and his heart rejoiced once again. “My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon — from Mount Mizar” (Psalm 42:6). Although David was one of God’s anointed, his emotions varied from day to day and he faced many real dangers. But God never abandoned him.
After Jesus died, His disciples struggled with sadness and disappointment. After He rose, He came alongside the disciples and lifted them out of despair. Once they realized Jesus was alive again, in their joy their strength was renewed. Jesus’s resurrection shows us the importance of hoping in His return when everything seems to be going wrong.
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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