For Encouragement

PSALM 31:1-5 A Psalm of David
In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your
righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to
save me.
For You are my rock and
my fortress;
Therefore, for Your names
sake,
Lead me and guide me.
Pull me out of the net
which they have secretly
laid for me,
For You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit
my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O
LORD God of truth.


To A Friend:

I hope this letter finds you in a joyful time. If you are reading this during a time when you are distraught or in need of rescuing, then I hope this letter encourages you to cry out to Jesus, just as King David did in times of trouble. Whenever David did not trust in God, and was facing the consequences of his decision, he was affected in all that he was—body, heart, soul, and spirit (see Psalm 6). But David had an understanding of God that the LORD desired men who would talk with Him, and that in their communication with God these men would see the LORD’S heart and purpose; that these men would understand there is no better person to put your trust in than God (see Psalm 16, 18, and 20).

David himself is an example of such a man. In the Book of Psalms David cries out to the LORD during times of failure, success, peace, deliverance, shame, sorrow, uncertainty, contemplation, joy, and at the utter end of his rope (see Psalm 51). David was not a man who hid from God when his sin was made known to him. David had the boldness and heart—that many men today do not—to admit failure and run to God so that he would be washed clean and no longer walk in the wrong direction.

My friend, when you are broken or disheartened to whom do you run? In what direction do you run? Do you run away from or toward Jesus? Do you accept the consequence of a failure or sin? And do you ask the Lord to rescue you from the pit of despair (see Psalm 28:1-2)? Or do you keep digging, thinking you are destined to reach China?

The Lord’s love for us is no small thing. His love for us is greater than our own imaginations comprehension, and just as real as the consequence of sin—death. But Jesus’ love for us reaches beyond death. His love is a love that brings life. His love is an eternal love that will never be quenched or dried up, but only grows deeper, only increases in size, and only shines brighter with every passing moment.

David knew the Lord’s love. In Psalm 36:7-9 David writes: “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.”

My friend, I write this to you as an encouragement to walk in the light. To trust in the Lord even in times of fear, doubt, uncertainty, anger, disappointment, rejection, sadness, etc. Turn back to God if you have sinned against Him, as David did after his failures. David was far from a perfect man, but he sought the Lord’s heart. Ask the Lord to search you and try you. Ask Jesus to reveal any secret sins you may have hidden from Him. I love that DC TALK song where they sing, “I want to be in the light as You are in the light. I want to shine like the stars in the heavens. O Lord be my light and be my salvation. For all I want is to be in the light.” This will not be easy, but are you willing?

Your Brother in the Body,
A Simple Layman