Put Down the Whaa Burger and French Cries

A Reflection on Psalm 73, A Psalm of Asaph

Recently, I came across an article in a Christian woman’s magazine which was dealing with depression. In identifying the problem the article says: “What is surprising is how quick we are to accept another person’s judgment and how serious our lack of faith in ourselves can become.”

Question: Is a lack of faith in ourself the real problem?

I'll make the usual disclaimers that I recognize that there are real medical causes behind some of the episodes of depression that people face, and that depression does not necessarily mean that you are not leaning upon Christ- great men of faith such as Charles Spurgeon openly battled with depression as did missionary David Brainard.

That having been said, we would not be honest if we did not confess that, while these real episodes may be numerous, they are the exception to the rule and not the rule. Most everyone experiences bouts of depression at one time or another- I doubt anyone is excluded here. And by and large, these bouts are not caused by some physical malady. These episodes comes as a result of how we cope, or fail to cope, with circumstances in our lives. And while one person's loss may send them into a tailspin of depression, another, facing identical or even worse problems, experiences peace, determination and even joy in the midst of that loss. How can that be?

Puritan pastor Charles Bridges who hits the question head on as he counsels those in the ministry:

“Admitting that we are called to difficult and costly service; yet have we abundant cause to be satisfied with the sustaining support and consolation provided for every emergency. All indeed may be included in the single promise- “Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.” ...While he stands with you, there can be no just cause for fear or faintness. You need no other encouragement. This you shall never want, if you continue faithful: and hereupon you may conclude- “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom.”

Is this a promise for minister's only or for all of us?

I'm reading John Paton's autobiography (and you should too!) and early on in the story his young wife and child die on the island that he is trying to reach for the Gospel. He records that while on her deathbed his wife said of her coming to the island: "If I had the same thing to do over again, I would do it with far more pleasure, yes, with all my heart. Oh, no! I do not regret leaving home and friends..." Her dying words were: "Not lost, only gone before to be for ever with the Lord."

Paton then writes: "It was very difficult to be resigned, left alone, and in sorrowful circumstances; but feeling immovably assured that my God and Father was too wise and loving to err in anything He does or permits, I looked up to the Lord for help, and struggled on in His work. I do not pretend to see through the mystery of such visitations,- wherein God calls away the young, the promising, and those sorely needed for His service here; but this I do know and feel, that, in the light of such dispensations, it becomes us all to love and serve our blessed Lord Jesus so that we may be ready at His call for death and Eternity." (p. 85)

What was Paton feeling? He lost wife and child. He had to bury them by himself, digging the grave next to his hut on this island alone. He was, understandably, full of grief.

But what made him endure? Faith in self? Feelings that he could do it if he just tried hard enough? No, it was the assurance that "my God and Father was too wise and loving to err in anything He does or permits."

So what does the doctor prescribe?
Good theology.
Good theology, my friends, is the key to overcoming depression.

Asaph learned this lesson.

Asaph describes how he almost "stumbled" in his faith - his "steps had nearly slipped." How so? He had become envious of the wicked people around him.

Asaph was busy trying to live a holy God-honoring life and what did he get in return (take note Mr. Osteen) "all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning" (vs. 14).

What were the wicked experiencing? They were prospering, they were "always at ease, they increase in riches" (vs. 12) - and they were prideful and arrogant because of it(vs. 3-4).

This led Asaph to conclude that "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence" (vs. 13).

Can you feel Asaph's pain? I can. Kind of makes me depressed........

But wait! What did Asaph do next?

He says that understanding all of this "had become a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God" (vs. 17). What happened in God's sanctuary?

Good theology: "Then I discerned their end."

After putting down his "whaaa burger and french cries," Asaph bit into some good theology and was reminded that, while the wicked may be prosperous now, their end is destruction. Yet, this is not so for him: "nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. you guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory" (vs. 23-24). Alright, that's more like it.

This change of thinking changed Asaph's desires. Now, he was no longer envious of them (see vs. 2), but declared: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever....For me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works" (vss. 25, 26, 28).

Now, go feast on the Word and cheer up.