A Sojourner’s Thoughts

I have suffered froim bouts of depression for years. Maybe that is why when King David writes about his times of despair they ring so true to me. Granted I don’t have peole trying to kill me, at least I don’t think I do :), but depression can cause one to feel very alone, affaid,tired, and more – all thinks David writes about in his lament psalms.

The thing that David knows about God and what I need to remember is that God is with us. God is our shelter we can run into when times are tough, when our struggles over whelm us. Knowing God and knowing that He is alway there gives us the glimmer of hope that can light up the darkness that at times can engulf us. From Psalm 57 David writes:

7 I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune: 8 “Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!” 9 I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. 10 The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness. 11 Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory! The Message

Knowing God – knowing that God is there, that He loves us, know that He is our shelter even when we feel alone and so far away. So in those moment of lonelyness, despair, or trouble – don’t run away but rather run toward God who is there for you.

I don’t know what it is but I really enjoy reading Haggai. Maybe because it is a story set within a larger story or maybe it is because every now and then I need a Haggai to come into my life and ask the question “Why are you spinning your wheels in vain when God wants to engage with you?” I have to admit there are times when I get caught up in my own stuff and forget about spending time with God. This leads me to another “Knowing God” point.

In the case of the Haggai and the remnant they had neglected working on the temple while they went about doing their own thing. To the remnant the temple represented where God would meet with them. It was where the priest would enter in and make the sacrifices to God. God desired to have this meeting place, but the people turned their back on it.

From this I know that God desires to meet with us, to have a place where we can worship Him, a place where we can spend time with Him. This happens at both the community level – church, small groups, etc. – and at the personal level – quiet time, reflections, pondering, prayer. What I need to do is not get so busy in my life that I forget to meet with God at both these places.