How do you find God in the dark places of life. Sometimes life can feel unfair! You may feel like nothing good is working in your favor. You may face problems with jobs, school, family, friends - and even within yourself. Yes, even faithful Christians may face times of depression, worry, loneliness and death.
We may ask, "Where was God in the dark and difficult times of my life?" The answer is, "God never abandoned you!"
David had a godly reputation. He was described by God as "a man after My own heart, who will do all My will" (Acts 13:22; cf. 1 Sam. 13:14). Yet, being approved by God did not insulate David from difficulties and dark times. The man with a heart after God's heart and faith to slay a giant Goliath and even named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ was still not shielded from dark places during his faithful walk with God.
After David was anointed to be the second king over Israel, Saul attempts to murder him twice (1 Sam. 18:11). Hitmen are dispatched to assassinate David (1 Sam. 19:11). David is forced to be a fugitive on the run, living in caves and mountains. He is often hungry, hiding, and hunted by enemies sent by his nemeses Saul. Once to escape death, David fakes insanity. At Ziklag, even his comrades wanted to stone him (1 Sam. 21:1, 13; 22:1; 30:6).
One of the saddest verses in the Bible was written when David was feeling deserted - and that no one cared about him. He grieved, "Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul" (Ps. 142:4).
One is in a very dark place when he or she feels like "no one cares for my soul." David felt those lonesome feelings. Have you ever felt that way?
Where was God when David felt depressed, abandoned and in a dark place? The answer: God was always with David in the dark times! And though his human emotions sometimes exposed his fears and loneness, David's faith affirmed his confidence in God during dark periods.
The following three psalms express David's faith in God's help and presence in challenging times.
Psalm 27 may have been penned after young David was on a life-threatening run from king Saul. David said "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell" (vs. 1).
In Psalm 42, an older David may be describing a more distressing and heartbreaking time in his life - fleeing his palace during Absalom's rebellion. David said, "I will say to God my Rock, 'Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?' As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?'" But, David's faith encouraged him to "Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God" (vss. 9-11).
In Psalm 23, from the vantage point of time, David looks back over his life and finds God with him in the dark valleys of life. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (vss. 4-5).
During the darkest times and places God was always with David! And though God didn't remove the adversities, God never forsook His friend David.
Though we cannot see God, by faith we know He is present and with us in dark times, and we know He really cares about us and our problems. God promised us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5).
Like David, we may feel lonely and defeated at times. By faith, we can know our God is Omnipresent and beside us - even in dark places. "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14).
- Focusing On Truth, April 2014