The Edge of Despair

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Psalm 11 In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
     For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.
     If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
     The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
     The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
     Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.
     For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright. NKJV

Webster’s Dictionary defines despair as “the complete loss or absence of hope.” Have you ever been at the edge of despair? Have you ever fallen over the edge into the pit of despair? I have. You and I have an enemy who seeks to wreak havoc and utterly destroy us. One of the items on his list of things to steal from us is our hope. To me, hope is the final thread that I can cling to. I can lose a lot but if I lose hope and find myself in complete and utter despair it seems that nothing else remains.

As I read through the Psalms David certainly had his times of great despair. What is it that David did that you and I can do when we find ourselves at this point?

Tim Keller comments on Psalm 11 in this way:
“Don’t despair. When life crumbles, the desire to run away and hide in despair is strong. David counters this impulse with three insights:
•    Theological- God is still on His throne.
•    Practical-crises are really tests, opportunities to evaluate what is true and solid and what is flimsy and should be discarded.
•    Spiritual- What we really need is the knowledge of God’s presence and face. Pray until God and His love become more real to you. Then you won’t run scared.”

Today may you run from despair being confident that God sees, knows and is present in the midst of your troubles. May you run to – not from – Him.

Blessings, Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Director of Partner Care. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 30 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and teaches a Bible Study for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.