H-A-P-P-Y because I'm S-A-V-E-D

Wednesday night at church, Dr. Bauder started out his sermon by reminding us of the words in the songs "H-A-P-P-Y Because I'm S-A-V-E-D" and "Count Your Blessings." Then, he proceeded to bring a very thought-provoking study to us. I wanted to share some of my notes with everyone because the reality is that we all know what it's like to be in a distressing situation and to not really feel "H-A-P-P-Y because we're S-A-V-E-D"...

Psalm 88

"I am utterly wretched" - Dr. Bauder's heading

O LORD, God of my salvation;
I cry out day and night before you.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!

For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves.
Selah

"I am totally useless because I am utterly wretched" - Dr. Bauder's heading

You have caused my companions to shun me;
you have made me a horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD;
I spread out my hands to you.
Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you?
Selah

Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

But I, O LORD, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.

"I am completely perplexed because I am totally useless and utterly wretched." - Dr. Bauder's heading

O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.

Don't passages like that just bother you? There's no hope in that chapter at all. Dr. Bauder broached the subject of 'depression' in his study with us. In our circles, depression is a very bad thing...we even are tempted sometimes to question the salvation of those Christians who are in 'depression.' However, this man is obviously 'depressed' by our modern use of the term. Consider some of the thoughts he expressed:

• He is in a difficult position
• He feels like someone who is being judged by God
• He is facing death
• He feels like he is useless to God in his present condition
• He truly longs to glorify God
  

Let's face it: there are times when singing, counting our blessings, or putting on a smile really doesn't make us feel better. There are times in life (yes, even in the Christian life) that things seem completely hopeless and life seems to have lost its purpose. How do we come to terms with God's plan when it leads us into those types of situations?

Interestingly, the man in the Psalm does not express any bitterness; nor does he question God's 'right' to do this to him. What we do find in this Psalm is a spirit of submission to God's sovereignty...also known as trust.

Our perception of our uselessness is not the same as God's reality of how He actually is using us. Sometimes we only feel useless because God is not using us in the way we imagined He would. However, He may be using us in a bigger way than we can discern from our view. The only way to cope with depression/feelings of uselessness is to trust our sovereign God.

Consider this hymn text. I do not know much about the author of these words, but they apparently knew what it was like to go through dark times. I love the transparency they express in speaking of the difficulties of life. I also love the strength and the trust that is so beautifully portrayed.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Just in case some of you are wondering, I am not posting this because I am going through a difficult time. On the contrary, I know that we are in a very blessed stage of life right now and am thankful for the things (material and immaterial) that God has given us. However, I have been there in the past, and I am certain that many of you have as well. I was just so encouraged by the things that Dr. Bauder said and the way he presented the truth of God's sovereignty through this passage. Now, equipped with the precious truths discussed above, I feel more sure of the goodness of my God and His control in my life. Praise Him!