The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
Psalms 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
King David was called “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (II Samuel 23:1), it was he who wrote Psalm 31. Do yourself a favor and read this Psalm today. You will find a startling glimpse into the heart, fears, and insecurities of a king. In verse 12 of this Psalm David said, I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind. Ironically, here is a beloved king who, in his mind, is forgotten. He is lonely, he is scared, he is insecure, he is having difficulty in his mind.
Have you ever been there? Lonely, scared, insecure, having difficulties of the mind? You are in good company. David visited there for a while, but he did not stay there. Just two verses later the king wrote: But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. By the end, in the last two verses of this Psalm, David writes these encouraging words: O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
For a while David was a broken vessel, but he rose up, looked truth in the eye, and put aside the false thoughts of despair, brokenness, and personal worthlessness. So can you!
Through it all this man knew enough to continually call upon God to help him and protect him. Sometimes in life we get very confused, the battle rages and we think the worst. Isaiah said, For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. (Isaiah 9:5). Not only did David have real trouble outwardly, this Psalm was probably written during the time that David was being persecuted by Saul, but there was also internal trouble. That internal battle in David’s mind became so severe that he thought others totally forgot about him, as if he were already dead and buried. Certainly, this was not based on truth, for David had many who were loyal to him and loved him. In death he certainly would have been remembered by all generations of the Hebrew people as the one who performed many heroic acts on behalf of their beloved country. Yes, he had enemies, but he also had loyal supporters.
The next time you don’t think anyone cares, or that no one remembers you, or that your life is not important remember the truth. Those thoughts in your mind are not based in fact, it’s just a skirmish you must battle through. Someone loves you, someone needs you, someone remembers you, and someone will miss you when you are gone. Don’t always believe what you think, for sometimes that which we think is not based in reality.
William Howe, Ph.D.