Encouragement from the Psalms

                           There is something about the Psalms...

The way the writers pour out their hearts to God in such sincerity is very encouraging to me. Whether its in complaint, fear, weariness, victory, praise... they were honest. They weren't afraid to be real with God, they didn't hide their frustration from him, they brought it to him. 


In my walk with God there have been times where I didn't allow myself to be open with God, even though I knew he knew everything about me and what I was going through. I was just to frustrated to bring it to him and allow myself to be completely honest with how I was feeling towards him or my situation. I would always try and sort it out on my own and by doing that it got worse and my mind and heart would grow even more with negativity and weariness. It was like a was putting a distance between God and myself. 


What I also love and learn about the Psalms is that when David is pouring out his complaint or fear, it always turns into a praise to God. It always ends with him exalting God and proclaiming who he is. He knew who his God was. Even though David was facing many adversities he knew his God was faithful and would deliver him out of it. Psalm 13 is one that portrays this so clearly:


       How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
(Psalm 13 ESV)


I don't know what you are going through; whether it be a time of victory and joy or a time of pain and struggle, what I do know is that God wants our honesty, he wants us to come to him with our hurt, anger, bitterness, doubt, triumph, praise, joy...whatever it may be go to him. Don't hide yourself from him.
      
       I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
(Psalm 18:1-3 ESV)