The Remedy

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalm 77:10-15

When we left off yesterday, David was awake in the middle of the night, worried, depressed, hopeless. He thought that even God had deserted him, and he was suffering, unable to sleep. David wondered whether God was willing, or even able, to help him in his time of crisis.

Then he thought- “Wait a minute here. God had promised to deliver the Israelites in their time of trouble, and he had delivered on that promise in miraculous ways. I know that God is powerful, so I will think on those things. I also recognize that I have nothing to offer at this time. I cannot do anything to make this better, but I know that God can. I will appeal to his power and promises.”

David gave up trying to solve the problems of his racing mind all by himself. Rather, he turned those thoughts to God- the One who could help. David appealed to God as the only solution to his problems at that time.

Some of David’s problems were guilt and shame for past actions. He was beset by those thoughts and he could not escape. He asked God to intervene in his anguished thoughts, and he knew that God cared and would deliver on that request. God was not the reason that David was suffering. It was David’s own thinking that caused him such pain.

We often need to be brought to the place of our own helplessness and utter inability to save ourselves before we can remind ourselves of God’s power to give peace to our mind. Yes, there are, for example, some techniques that I teach my clients about “exit strategy lists” and “designated worry time”. Different things work for different people.

 I have found though, that recognizing that “God has it when we do not” is a very reassuring thing to consider.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your provision, a very present help in our time of need, Amen