Week 34
Psalm 94:19 “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”
Few human experiences are as universal as anxiety, worry, fear, and discouragement. These besiege the soul in such a way as to tear down every human defense built up against them. When anxiety and troublesome thoughts come upon us, we feel as if they are multiplying all around us, and we fear that we will succumb to their onslaught and attack. In such times our peace melts and our joy is drained.
But let us rise up when these things occur, and let us not give in to these dark dragons of the soul. As the psalmist says, “Your consolations delight my soul.” God has consolations for His people, no matter what the trouble may be, and His consolations will truly “delight my soul.”
God’s consolations are filled with assurances that He loves us, He has chosen us for Himself, and our sins are paid for in full in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. In addition, God’s consolations include His promise to be with us all along the journey of this earthly sojourn, and He is watching over us with a Father’s care. Jesus is providentially shepherding us, and the Holy Spirit is sanctifying us to grow in faith and godliness. Our Lord went so far as to commit Himself providentially to us, so that nothing could ever happen to us in this life that would not, by His grace and sovereign power, turn out for our spiritual and eternal good (Romans 8:28). These are truly divine consolations, and they are enough!
These consolations are enough to strengthen us amid life’s stormy days. These consolations are enough to enable our joy, love, and peace to survive the fierce attack of these monsters pounding away at our souls. They will keep us afloat when the floods of sorrow and suffering come upon us.
Thus, we rest our weary hearts upon God’s gracious promise and love. We know that He will not lie to us; we know that He will not fail us. We can (and we must) count on Him; we can (and we must) nurture our aching hearts with God’s sweet promises and care. It is only in this way that we can and will endure the dark valley; it is only in this way that we can and will thrive in the darkness of despair.
Christian friend, your God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask of Him (Ephesians 3:20). Listen to His truth in the Scripture; let your heart graze in the pasture of divine provision. Do not go down to “Egypt” for consolation (outside the teaching of the Scripture; see Isaiah 30:1-2). Remember, all is well; trust fully in Him who loves you with everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
Prayer: Dear Lord, I find my mind and heart to be anxious so often. Life’s troubles, life’s losses, and life’s burdens seem to drain me of strength, energy, and joy. But I know that You love me in Christ. And, I know that You are enough, and that Your promises are true, even on my worst day. Please Lord, help me to trust fully in You for all that my weary soul needs. Amen.