Daily Book Excerpt: God Speaks into Darkness - Hemmed In and Locked Out?
excerpt from God Speaks into Darkness (Easterling)
Hemmed in and Locked Out?
Inspired by Psalm 88
Today, as this is being written, the world is still losing
to COVID-19, which has claimed thousands of lives and infected millions.
Twenty-two million Americans have filed for unemployment—and the toll is
mushrooming every day. The United States
is facing the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. What began in
China has locked down, isolated, or quarantined the lives, health, and economy
of every nation.
Psychiatrists tell us prisoners locked in total isolation
for long periods never fully recover. Courts are being asked to decide if this
is such cruel and inhumane punishment that it violates our constitution and
should be banned.
Have you ever found yourself locked into a perplexing
predicament that seems irresolvable, a situation so desperate it seemed
unbearable? A pit can be so dark and deep it drains one of hope, slams you up
against the border of depression or the edge of insanity.
The Psalmist here finds himself in horrific distress; he’s
growing despondent. He’s hemmed in on every side, like fate has locked him up and
thrown away the keys. How can he cope with such a moment as this? He opens his
heart, lifting his anguished cry to the One of last resort:
“O Jehovah, Lord God, my Savior, I’m weeping day and
night, crying out for mercy. Hear my pleas, Loving God, for my life is
overwhelmed by troubles—and I am in deep despair. My case seems utterly
hopeless. Everyone has left me. I’m abandoned and afraid.
People look at my wretched condition and say, ‘God has
removed his hand of mercy!’ You are my
only hope, O God. Soon it will be too late. You see this tomb of containment
isolating me, and you surely know how black tombs can be!
Lord, is it you who have thrust me into this darkness?
Is it your wrath hemming me in and locking me out? Have you thrown my life away
and washed your hands of me?
Never, my God,
will you disown one of your own! How can
this living death hold me when you are the God of my salvation?”
The songwriter speaks for every believer: “My hope is
built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”. (From the hymn, “The
Solid Rock” by Edward Mote, 1797-1874.)
“And by a miracle, God sent them food and water to drink
there in the desert; they drank from water that Christ gave them. He was there
with them as a mighty Rock of spiritual refreshment.” (1Corinthians 10:4)
Lord, when darkness hems us in or locks us out, you’re so near we can feel your touch. We will not be conquered by seemingly impossible circumstances. We know you still love us, and in your perfect time you will provide a way of escape!
Winner, Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
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