You can suffer so much before you start feeling rejected by God.
“Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about in sorry because of my enemy’s oppression?” (Ps 43:2).
David was feeling it. And while depression for some means rejection towards God, David’s depression led him to prayer, and to a stern talk with his soul.
First he prays that God will vindicate him. He asks God plainly to rise up and rescue him.
Next he asks God to send His light and his truth. He needs both of them to lead him to to the altar of God where he can gain make music to him:
“Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the lyre, God, my God” (Ps 43:4).
Lastly he has a talk with himself:
“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Ps 43:5).
Sometimes when we go through hard times, it’s normal for us to pray and seek God for deliverance. We also need his light and truth to lead us to the place of our joy. But we also need to remember where our hope is placed. Not to give way to hopelessness or depression. And sometimes, that takes a stern talk with ourselves to remember.
