The Low Point

​We return to Psalm 142.  This picture I took in Israel reminds me of being strong but alone while in the wilderness.

Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.  Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.  Psalm 142:4-7
Looking to the “right,” refers to the Hebrew metaphor that it was on the “right hand” that a protector would stand.  But David finds no one. During this time David took up the dangerous idea that nobody really cared for him. (v4). When we get into that mood we are in grave danger of becoming reckless, desperate, doing foolish things or giving up.  As time went on David sank very low (v6).  Perhaps this was the time in which he was convinced that he would perish at the hand of Saul.
Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. 1 Samuel 27:1     
​Many of us will sink very low at some point during this crisis. As the death toll rises, the economy slows down and isolation drags on, I find myself thinking, “Perhaps I too will be one of those who perishes at the hand of COVID-19.”   Have similar thoughts crossed your mind?  Read on and be encouraged as we listen to David’s strong faith encourage us across the centuries with the words, “you [Lord] will deal bountifully with us.” And I know, this will be true even if it should lead to death as it will one day regardless.