It was a dark and stormy night … Do you know this much-cliched opening line for a bad novel? My memory of this line is not from poorly written novels but from Charles Schulz’ Peanuts character Snoopy (my favorite beagle since childhood). One of Snoopy’s several imagined heroic and/or highly esteemed roles was that of the world famous author of the greatest novel. And so there he sat at his typewriter atop his doghouse beginning each time with the same line. It was a dark and stormy night …
It’s one of those memories that just pops up once in a while and I’m wondering if it isn’t a reminder for me that the dark and stormy night has an implied end come daybreak. There’s lack of light and gusting winds and drenching rain … but daylight is coming. And that’s the hope-builder. I have to wait out the storm, seek cover, and anticipate relief and recovery.
That’s what I hear from David, who wrote so many of the Psalms, including Psalm 38. He is in a storm of despair with awful physical and emotional distress.
David acknowledges that God is rightly so very angry with him over an unnamed sin issue. David’s physical and emotional storm is brought on by God to get his attention and move David to confession. He is completely overwhelmed.
Psalm 38.8 I am feeble and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
Tumult of my heart? Tumult? Agitation or snarling or groaning of my heart. I am feeble and crushed because of the snarling of my heart. I’m backed into a corner and my heart knows it. I will be in this condition until I confess my sin and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.
vv.10-12 My heart throbs, my strength fails me,
and the light of my eyes – it also has gone from me.
My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
And my nearest kin stand far off.
Those who seek my life lay their snares;
those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
and meditate treachery all day long.
I am in agony, I have no strength, there is no light. I am alone. I am vulnerable to those who want to take my life. But … !
vv.15-22 But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
Do not forsake me, O Lord!
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
I only have You, Lord, and You are my God. I wait for Your answer. I trust You will be near and that only You will be my help and my salvation. My salvation!
David is trusting that his anguish is not too deep for the Lord’s rescue of him; for a full recovery.
My friend, whatever is your stormy night, I pray you will set your heart to seek the Lord’s work in you through the storm. What is the thing the Lord is prompting you to consider, to change, to show your trust is in Him?
I have been to the edge of despair over concerns and disappointments and offenses. I have experienced physical and emotional distress that at first I blamed on the situation or on the offender. But finally I was able to see that it was my attitude and response to unwelcome words and actions and circumstances that were crippling me in my walk with the Lord.
When I could not see a way beyond the despair, the only thing I could do is trust that God’s mercy and goodness would prevail, if I would relinquish my falsely-perceived control. Coming to the end of myself and admitting it was not mine to manipulate or exact revenge or withhold forgiveness. It is a hard step, but the very most beneficial step of my life.
It was a dark and stormy night … but then came the dawn! Praise be to our loving and gracious God who loves us far more than we can imagine or ever comprehend. Seek Him and He will be not far and He will make haste to help!
Trusting the Lord with you, Colleen