Is It a Hammer Falling?

(Psa 60:1 KJV)  O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

We have a clear statement by David that he feels “rejected” (2186a) by God.  The “us” is more than the Royal We.  Things are not going well.  I understand that during times of celebration, like Christmas, many people experience feelings like this more than they would normally.  Any time we come across a discussion of depression there is the danger of taking our experience as being the norm and thus criticizing harshly.  When it comes to depression I would fall into that trap.  So I will just reflect on my experience without casting dispersion on anyone else.

I went through a long period struggling with depression.  I could sit and stare at the wall for the entire day.  In spite of that crippling mental condition I managed to get done the things that absolutely had to be done.  Because of that I don’t know that I would fit into the category of “clinical depression”, but for me it was very real.  Eventually the Lord helped me to see that I was just sunk into pity parties and needed to “walk it off”, as they say.

There are other times when we feel things are going terribly and we feel we have done something to cause it.  That is where David is.  Israel went through a regular cycle of rejecting God.  God would put up with it for a time, maybe send a prophet, but eventually He would realize that it was time to bring the hammer down.  For David that was Edom and Moab.  For you it might be the IRS or a lightening strike.  The answer was repentance and forgiveness.

So?  If the season is getting to you it may just be a pity party.  It may also be God trying to get your attention.  I can’t decide which it is for you.  I have a hard enough time with my own situation.  Be open to the things God may be trying to communicate.  It might help to talk to someone you trust to get a different perspective.  Find a way to enjoy the season.