Loss Doesn't Get The Final WordSample

God Is Near

David, the great Psalmist and King of Israel, goes through a great amount of loss and responds with a multitude of emotions. Often, he calls out to God: confused, lonely, scared, and hurt. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” he asks. (Psalms 10:1-2).

While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what David was going through when he wrote that, we know he lost a lot throughout his life. His best friend died in battle, (1 Sam. 31) one of his children died at an early age, (2 Sam. 12:15-23) and other children of his betrayed and abandoned him (2 Sam. 15). David could have cried out to God like this at any of these points, but none of them were the end of his story.

Throughout the Psalms and the narratives associated with David’s life, we see that he always finds hope and strength in the midst of grieving. God always meets him right where he’s at, and David can rejoice and trust in the Lord even while he asks these questions of God. Even by the end of chapter ten, David recognizes that, “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear” (10:17).

As you read these passages from David, be encouraged that God is near to you like he is to David.