Hope in the Psalms: Seeing Triumph Over Addiction in the Songs of Davidಮಾದರಿ

Welcome to the first day of a weeklong dive into some of the Psalms of David. We’re going to take a look at just a handful and see how those relate to some of the key components of recovery from drug addiction or alcohol abuse.

Whatever you’re going through—and if you’re reading this scripture reading plan then you’re probably going through some pretty high highs and fairly low lows—you can always know that God will hear you when you cry out to him.

This is the promise we see in Psalm 34:17, where we read that, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their troubles.”

That means you.

You may not feel like you belong in that category of “the righteous,” but simply by giving your life over to God’s will, you are.

This righteousness isn’t a promise that will eventually be fulfilled once you go through enough steps or maintain a certain duration of continuous sobriety. The moment you say “Yes” to Jesus, you become one of the righteous.

We know this because of what we read later, in Psalm 34:22: “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

By turning to Jesus and offering him your brokenness, you are taking refuge in the Lord. You are acknowledging that you cannot break the bondage of your addiction on your own—you need God’s help.

He will be there for you. Has been there for you. Is for you now.

Take refuge in that promise.