If anyone knew despair, it was David of Israel. His own sin was a cause of his grief. He said, “For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.” Ps 38:18. He knew the despair of his own sin when the hand of God was upon him. “Because of the opposition of your hand I am perishing.” Ps 39:10. David found relief and was glad and singing when he turned back to God.
David also despaired for his life because of the enemy which surrounded him. But even then he hoped and was not broken. It is like the sons of Korah who said, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” Ps. 42:5; cf 42:11; 43:5.
Circumstances in our lives may not always be favorable and may cause us to despair. But there is no excuse, none whatsoever, for allowing ourselves to be defeated and lost because we trust God. In the despair there is hope. In the suffering there is rejoicing. Paul and Silas took an awful beating, yet they were not beaten into silence because the same night they were singing and praying to God.
I want to say something and make it perfectly clear. If you are not functioning as a faithful servant of God because you think you have an excuse, because of the bad hand dealt to you, you do not have faith.
A Christian may endure persecutions and encounter various enemies, but the feet can’t stop walking with God and the mouth can’t stop praising God. A Christian who despairs to the point of not serving and worshiping the LORD, is a Christian who has lost his or her faith.
I say this in love. Dan
Categories: Uncategorized
A Conquering Faith 
Leave a Reply