Posts
From the ends of the earth I cried to you, in my heart’s despondency, εν τω ακηδιασαι την καρδιαν μου, by a rock you lifted me up.
Lead me, because You became my help, strong tower from the face of my enemy.
I will dwell as a pilgrim in your Tabernacle for ever. I will be sheltered under the shelter of your wings”
Note the progression. David begs God to hear him. He is despondent, literally does not care. He then sees God’s help. And shifts his trust to God. More over, he shifts his perspective. Instead of being despondent he realizes his true home is heaven. He realizes he is but a pilgrim. This was the experience of Abraham, as well, of whom it was said “he confessed that he was a stranger and pilgrim...for he looked for a city which has foundations...” He dwells by the side, thus he is a paroikos. He dwells by the side, par. Thus he feels like an outsider, and recognizes he will ALWAYS feel that.
The blessing of his despondency is he stopped caring about trivial things and focused on the eternal.
Thus despondency is in some ways a step in our cure: He allows us to be disgusted with things so we can be content in Him.
I am thankful for my moments of despondency. May they always be transformative.
