Principles that Saved My Life

 

By Derek L. Duncan

In 1911 a columnist named George Hamlin Fitch wrote a book called Comfort Found in Good Old Books. In it, he described how books helped him through the devastating loss of his son. A quote in it is especially important for us as believers. After discussing things that gave him comfort, like familiar books that helped him focus on right issues (and not circumstantial tragedies that affect us all), he wrote,

 

No literary skill can bind up the broken hearted. No beauty of phrase can satisfy the soul that is torn by grief. No, when our house is in mourning, we turn to the Bible first. That font of wisdom and comfort which never fails him, who comes to it with clean hands and a contrite heart. It is the medicine of life. After it come the great books written by those who have walked through the valley of the shadow. Yet, they have come out sweet and wholesome. With words of wisdom and counsel for the afflicted. One book through which beats the great heart of a man who suffered yet grew strong under the lash of fate, is worth more than a thousand books that teach no real lesson of life. They are broken cisterns holding no water when the soul is athirst and cries out for refreshment.

 

 

These wise words from long ago can help us with present-day struggles. All human beings suffer. Unexplainable tragedies befall us. Where should we turn and what principles will guide us through these times of suffering and confusion?

One of the first places I turn to is the Psalms. The Psalms, more than any other literature in the Bible, speak to my heart and keep me safely moored on still seas. I often have trouble getting my mind to focus and pray. Sometimes I”ve been beaten up by criticisms. Occasionally on these same days, the kids might be unhappy about something, refuse to do their homework, and complain about dinner. (I”m sure none of these things happen to other parents!) I switch over to survival mode, rather than talking to God and depending on him. But if I just sit down and start praying through a psalm, I begin to feel my heart soften, my spirit lift, and my mind focus more relationally with Jesus Christ.

Psalm 33 has had an especially calming effect during turbulent times in my life. I am reminded of several key principles that have literally saved my life.

 

Never Alone

Psalm 33 says no matter how I feel, I am never alone. God has given me the Holy Spirit that indwells my heart to provide comfort, wisdom, and discernment wherever I go. I need to trust that God is with me regardless of circumstances and feelings. Psalm 33:4, 5 says, “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all that he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”

I can”t go anywhere to get away from that love. He would never lie to me. He always says what is right and true, and he is faithful even when I am faithless. Hearing those words and praying through that section of Scripture revives my troubled heart.

Once my perspective is softened, God begins to show me reasons I might be feeling alone. I may have drifted from relationships with people God provided to me for comfort and wisdom. I don”t interact with others enough to help assuage the feeling of loneliness. Either way, the one that matters most, Jesus Christ, will never leave or forsake me.

 

Never Lost

Psalm 33 also shows me I am never lost. I seldom understand all that God is doing in my life, and this makes me wonder if I took a wrong turn. Maybe I missed the road sign to a better and less painful life. And then I turn to Psalm 33 and I gain perspective.

Verses 10, 11 say, “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Later the psalm says God is watching me all the time. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul reminds us we are God”s workmanship, his perfect new creation. Each of us has been created as an individual to do the work God has designed for us. He puts things in our heart, mind, and character so we can fulfill his plan for us. He guides us along the road, preparing us for good works, but we don”t know the final destination.

For example, I felt lost when I was first working in a singles ministry in Oklahoma City. I must confess it wasn”t much fun. I thought ministry was supposed to be fun and engaging with people who always want to grow.

I felt lost when I went to graduate school and had to wait tables to meet expenses. One night some friends from years ago, now highly successful executives, came in. Here I was in my little T-shirt serving food to people with the best smile I could muster.

One of the guys asked, “What happened to you, Derek? You had so much potential. What”s going on?” I knew I was supposed to go to seminary, but it didn”t feel like I was going in the right direction at the time.

Here”s my point: feelings and circumstances are not the most reliable indicators of God”s direction for your life. God knows the character and experiences you need to equip you to serve him in the future. So trust him to lead. Likewise I noticed sometimes it”s a good thing God doesn”t tell me exactly where I am going. If I knew, I most likely would not want to follow.

 

Not in Charge

Finally, Psalm 33 reminds me I am not in charge. I like to be in charge. I like to control my circumstances so I can avoid as much pain in life as possible. I like to control my children so they don”t go through any pain. I like to control my church so we can all be a happy family with no heartache.

The problem is, life is about pain and trauma, and it”s very difficult to actually learn during good times. It”s when times are tough that God softens our hearts and shows us what we need to learn. I”m not in charge; God”s in charge.

Psalm 33:16-19 says this:

 

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

 

 

The primary focus of my eyes cannot be on my education, my ability to speak, or my ability to discern and solve problems. I need to trust the Holy Spirit who reigns in my heart to give me direction. I can”t keep myself safe. I can”t control things. But I can turn myself over to the loving Father, who always knows how to take the burden away. He simply wants to be in charge, which relieves me of the great burden of trying to fix everything.

I hope you are not going through a time of suffering. But someday you will be. Read God”s Word. Start with Psalms 33 and 34. Read about the hope that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

May God keep you safe, not feeling alone or lost, and may he constantly remind you that you don”t have to feel the pressure of being in charge.

 

 

 

Derek L. Duncan is senior pastor with East 91st Street Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.