I was flipping channels the other afternoon and came across the movie, "Facing The Giants". This is about the 3rd time I have seen it but I learn something new just about every time. At first I thought that too much of the feel good gospel was coming through. You know, if you believe then God will give it to you.
After watching again and again, I really don't think that was the intention of the writers. I really believe that they were more in line with Psalm 42. Now, this didn't come to me until Sunday as I listened to our pastor's sermon on this chapter, especially verse-5. I know, I know I should have been on his every word and I was for the most part. But he got me to thinking and the movie came to my mind.
I think most of us have times in life when life is just the pits. Everything seems to come down on us all at once. You know, if it can go wrong it will. Well, that was the coaches situation in the movie. There was an awful smell in his home that he couldn't find the source. His car was always breaking down and at the worst possible moment. He and his wife can't have the children they want so badly. Then he over hears parents talking to the headmaster wanting to replace him. At the meeting he hears his assistant coach, considered a best friend, being offered the position. His life for all practical purposes was in the pits. It all is crushing around him. He is searching for God's answer.
King David, "The Giant Killer", wasn't immune to the pitfalls of life. He wrote, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long where is your God?" David is oppressed, I assume by Satan and his minions. He is feeling a separation from God. His depression has caused him to not eat or drink. Those around him are asking him where is your God? Have you ever found yourself in a like situation? I know I have. So did the coach in this movie. He couldn't eat or sleep. There is only one thing he knew to do in this situation, go to the only place that would offer comfort and answers.
After a time of study and prayer, the coach comes up with a plan based in scripture. He first lays it out for his wife then for the team. He has one ground rule that sticks out for me; "If we loose we will praise him and if we win we will praise him." He approached the rest of the season in faith. He didn't know if God would give the much needed winning season, but he had come to the point of putting it all in God's hands. The coach asked of his wife, "If God never gives us children will you still love him?" I believe the point here is in the end, how much do we trust God to do what is best for us. It may mean that he plans on giving us our desire in a different way than we expect.
God doesn't promise us that he will shield us from trouble. He does promise to get us through to the other side. We look for a pillar in our lives. That point where we know God pulled us through another bad time. We reflect on that and are reminded of God's love for us. His faithfulness to be the foundation that cements us in his arms and then to move through this time of despair. David came to this conclusion 3 different times vs 5 & 11 in chapter 42 and in vs. 5 in chapter 43. He responded to his despair by asking himself a question; "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Then his spirit responds; "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God."
The psalmist and the coach had both decided that no matter what happened, they were going to honor God in what they do. How will you respond to the current trial in your life?
Scripture quoted from NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Press
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