What’s Your Experience?

A wise woman once told me when I was very young, “life can be very lonely even when surrounded by so many people.” It took me several years to come to the realization that there was real truth in that statement. as I read David’s Psalms during his “cave” experiences I can relate to his loneliness and despair.
He felt cornered. He felt alone. He felt used and not cared for and taken advantage of. When his humanity “kicked in” it was a “pity party.” But, when he remembered who God was, it was rejuvenation of strength and harmony! It was esprit de corps with God!

And, it has been something I have had to learn and still rely on to maintain stability when everything seems so opposite. Have you ever reached a point in your life where you felt that no one cared what happened to you? I have and it’s a sense of overwhelming desperation. David writes about this so carefully but clearly. His “cave” experiences were crushing to his soul and to his spirit. It’s a terrible time of challenge to one’s acumen.  

Psalms 142 was written when David was hiding from Saul in caves. We read about them in chapters 22 and 24 of 1st Samuel. These were certainly times of restriction and confinement for David. He was afraid for his life. I suppose he was even losing hope of getting out of this predicament. And, the depression was attacking him emotionally, spiritually and physically.  

Depression is an enemy I have fought. It is a sense of futility. How can that possibly happen to a child of God? It does. It happens and without proper care and support we can succumb to the adversary.

We cry out, as David did, “Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, ‘You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Hear my cry for I am very low. Rescue me…'”

We come before our Maker and like David, express our innermost feelings. And, sometimes as I did, we do it by faith! Depression will attempt to hide it from us, oh yes, it will. As David did, I would cry out, “Hear my plea, O Lord!” David wrote in Psalm 143, “I remember the days of old, I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will for you are my God.”

Key words in these verses are; remember, ponder, prayer, think, lift, love, and trust…they make such a difference when we yield them towards God, the finisher of our faith! As I think about David in his desperation, I think of his humanness and I think of mine. And, I ponder the significance of prayer and intimacy with the Lord all of it relational. This is my experience with God. This is what has helped me, this is what has kept me in the faith.  

We can be surrounded by many people, and yet, remain lonely. But, when The Lord is the center of our life experience; loneliness is curtailed. This is what helped David then. This is what helps me now. And, I share it with you. What is your experience with God?