The Diligent Self-search of a Disquieted Soul

The Diligent Self-Search of a Disquieted Soul

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5,11

We cannot always walk in sunlit paths of undisturbed pleasantness.  As one of my physically afflicted friends put it, “This life is a vale of tears.”  There are times when we will be in heaviness for reasons which we can easily identify.  When we lose a loved one, endure illness, suffer rejection, or experience emotional trauma, we have no difficulty naming the source of our grief.  There are other times, however, when we may find ourselves “cast down” or “disquieted” without being able to so easily pinpoint the source of our complaint.

The Psalmist in this passage reflects that this is his own emotional state.  On two occasions within the piece, he makes the same inquiry, and prescribes for himself the same remedy.  When we find that we are depressed, disquieted, or despairing, it is worthwhile to inquire the cause of it, and to prescribe for ourselves the same remedy as he did.  David does not mince words about the condition of his soul.  He describes himself as “painting,” “thirsty,” “tearful,” “cast down,” “disquieted,” and “mourning.”  Remember, this is not the description an unsaved person; rather, it is the description of a Christian person who is under great trial.

Are you under such trial today?  Is this the current condition of your soul?  Realize that godly people have also felt as you now feel.  David does not allow himself to continue in this condition without a thorough self-investigation.  He asks, “Why are thou cast down, O my soul and why are thou disquieted in me?”  This is an important question for you to ask yourself if you find that your own soul is similar in its condition to David’s.

As God enables you to carefully analyze your own spiritual case, seek to understand the cause of your condition.  Despite David’s emotional state, his faith is such that he exhorts his soul upon the right line.  He says, “Hope thou in God. . . .”

There is the resolution of the whole matter, both for David and for you.  God is not dead, nor does He slumber, nor is He doing anything in your life amiss.  He is your first hope, your best hope, your only hope.  “Hope thou in God!”  There is not a sounder or more satisfactory remedy for depression than this.  It worked for David, has worked for others, and it will work for you.

Our Good God and Merciful Savior,

we hope in Thee.

Uplift our downcast souls.

Let us behold the

light of Thy countenance.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice