Have you ever been down and out, thinking nothing will ever go your way again? Yeah, I’ve been there. Maybe you have even fought at times with depression. 

In Psalm 13, David experienced a bout with it. Fortunately, through the Lord, he turned his depression into delight.

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? Lord, how long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.  Psalm 13:1-3

Once, I talked with someone who felt he had hit rock bottom. Things weren’t going well for him at all. His family life was in shambles, things at his job weren’t going well, and he was broke.

He had himself convinced that God didn’t love him, and didn’t care about him. In his opinion, God had forgotten all about him. 

What do you say to such a person? Each of the circumstances he found himself in was self-inflicted.

He caused his family problems. He created the troubles at his job. And he also caused his financial woes with poor money management. To make things worse, he pinned the whole thing on God.

Now, I understand not all of our problems are self-inflicted. But I also understand that no matter how good or bad life gets, God cares for us. And He won’t turn his back on us.

David’s Delight Replaced His Depression

David found himself at a point in his life where he blamed God for his woes. He had lost that sparkle in his eyes. He assumed that God didn’t even want to look at him. Amid his depression, I did notice this one thing. He was still speaking to the Lord.

I’ve met people who thought God had completely given up on them. So they gave up on Him, even though some had wonderful spiritual experiences. They chose to abandon God altogether. No matter what I said, they had their minds made up.

David, however, changed his tune because deep down, he knew God and knew that He would never abandon him. Look at what he says at the end of the chapter.

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. Psalm 13:5-6

I love how the Message Bible translated verse 5. I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms. Why did he do that? Because he remembered that God had rescued him before.

We all have moments and even days when we wonder where God is or if He hears our prayers. Sometimes, we must do what David did. 

He reminded himself of when God came through for him in the past. And like David, we must throw ourselves headlong into His arms. 

Look how the Message Bible ended this Psalm. I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.

Fill your lungs with praise because God Loves You!

Lord, bring new life to people who think you don’t care. When we are down and out, remind us of how you have cared for us in the past. Help us to turn our depression into delight.