In a
documentary film about three legendary guitarists, Jack White described the
first essential for writing a song: “If you don’t have a struggle already
inside of you or around you, you have to make one up.”
The songs
that mean the most to us give expression to our deepest feelings. Many of the
Psalms, often called “the Bible’s songbook,” were born out of struggle. They
capture our disappointments and fears, yet they always point us toward the
faithful love of God.
In Psalm
31, David wrote: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes
away with grief, yes, my soul and my body!” (v.9). He speaks of a trap set for
him (v.4), his own sin (v.10), abandonment by friends (vv.11-12), and plots
against his life (v.13).
Yet,
David’s hope was not in his own strength, but in God. “I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of
my enemies, and from those who persecute me” (vv.14-15).
The Psalms invite us to pour out our hearts to God, because He has stored up His goodness for those who trust in Him (v.19).
When in your deepest need, find God’s comfort in the Psalms. (RBC)
