Reflections From the Psalms
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. (Ps. 6:2-4)
When we are brought to the end of our rope, and come to a complete despair over ourselves, it is not because God has forsaken us. Rather, it is because God is showing us the Truth: There is no hope in ourselves. Indeed, left to ourselves, we would indeed have great cause for despair. But central to this Truth that God is showing us is the fact that we are NOT left to ourselves. God has allowed us to come to this place so that, having seen the Truth about ourselves, we will also see and embrace the Truth that Jesus Christ is our only deliverer.
This is the case whether we are talking about initial salvation or the Christian life within salvation. We will again and again be brought to the place where Paul the apostle was brought. In his trial, Paul said, “We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” (II Cor. 1:8-10)
God can deliver us out of any situation. But often God will deliver us all the while we remain IN a trial. How? By revealing the Jesus Christ who dwells in us. By using the trial so that we might decrease and He might increase. Then, if we will embrace this Truth, we can shift all of our faith from ourselves over to Jesus Christ. To abide in Christ by faith – even while the trial continues – is true deliverance and real overcoming for the believer.