Psalms: Saying Yes in the DarknessSýnishorn

None of us is exempt from darkness. We face financial struggles, relational heartache, anxiety, fear, loss. Sometimes it feels like the darkness is unending, and we wonder if we’ll ever be able to step into the light again. 

David’s psalms connect deeply with me because they feel so true. He’s unflinchingly honest about his pain, his anger, his doubt. David shows us how to unflinchingly come before our God who loves us and can handle our wounds. 

David had his share of missteps and massively poor decision making—but that’s what makes him so special. Through his imperfection, through his anguish and anger and pain, he remains someone whom God Himself refers to as “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22). I want to be that kind of person. 

God-friendship is for God-worshipers;

They are the ones he confides in.

Psalm 25:14

David understood that to become a friend of his heavenly Father, we must spend time with Him, just like in any friendship. He brought the Lord into his everyday life, not simply a portion of time he carved out now and then. Without quality time spent, a relationship cannot grow. 

Psalm 59 shows us the depths of that relationship as David cries for help—and at the same time displays confidence that God will help in his time of trouble.

Isn’t that just how we often talk to God when we’re worried and in a place of darkness? We pray and then freak out and complain, then toss in a little praise because we know He’s bigger than our circumstances…but then we freak, hyperventilate, and complain again. 

I have some great news for you: God can handle our freak-outs. He can handle our doubts and our depression. Good friends are able to bring their true feelings to each other, right? Since David was indeed a friend of God, he was able to bring all of his feelings to the Lord. God welcomes our emotions, too, because we’re bringing our full and honest selves into relationship with Him. He understands when we come unglued and fall to pieces. He doesn’t become angry when we’re pouring our heart out to Him through panic, stress, and worry. In fact, it’s not a surprise to Him when we behave this way—He created us as emotional beings!