Hope for Days of DepressionUddrag

Confidence in Covenant Love

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5

The Psalm takes a turn in this verse. David is a changed man with his lament turned to joy. How can one explain this dramatic transformation? The Lutheran theologian Hebert C. Leupold answers, "faith has climbed out of the lowest depths of despair where it had well-nigh perished into the full sunlight of godly hope." David’s unwavering faith in God saw him through his dire situation. He trusted himself to the steadfast love of God. This unfailing love of God denoted by the Hebrew word hesed refers to the covenantal love of God towards his people! This loyal love of God was the foundation of Israel’s faith. The children of Israel knew they could approach their God in prayer for he cared for them. Even when circumstances looked like their God had forsaken them, they could still hope that their God loved them with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). This bold confidence, in the covenant love of God, enables the child of God to face the trials of this life!

David’s despair dissipates into elation. His heart is free from all fear, and he finally experiences peace. Thus, he rejoices in the salvation which his Lord provides him! The Lord not only heard his prayers and considered his plea, but He also answered them by saving His beloved! The sovereign love of God is a love that secures salvation for His people! “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Such is the love of God that He sends His one and only Son to the cross to be the sacrifice for sinners! God in Christ Jesus offers salvation to sinners from darkness, depression, and death. How can one not rejoice in this great salvation? 

Saint Paul wrote, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). In this life, the saint’s only surety is to trust the steadfast love of God! Even in the darkest night when God is nowhere to be seen, the child of God can still hope and trust in God- for His love never ceases!