Finding Strength in Despair

• Psalm 88:1 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:2 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:3 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:4 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:5 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:6 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:7 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:8 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:9 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:10 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:11 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:12 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:13 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:14 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:15 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:16 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:17 (NIV84)
• Psalm 88:18 (NIV84)

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Well, that was depressing. I've never studied this Psalm until today, and now I know why it's not a common passage for study guides or devotionals. There's one thing that struck me as amazing about the Psalmist in Psalm 88. Even though he appears to be in the depths of despair, he still has the strength to cry out to God. Many in that situation would give up on God, as they feel He has given up on them. Not Herman the Ezrahite.

I've experienced severe depression in my lifetime as a result of bad choices I made. During that time, I could not talk to God. I didn't feel worthy of his attention. I couldn't find the words. I couldn't find the strength. The psalmist's faith is amazing in that even in the dark pits of depression, he found the strength to cry out to God.

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