Sick at Heart

I am sick at heart.

How long, O Lord, until you restore me?

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ps 6:3

 

What a confession!  I wonder just how many people have come to a point in their lives where they have thought this?  What about those that have actually said this out loud?  There is no doubt that this is a terrible place to be.  Sick at heart.  Not necessarily a physical heart disease as we might hear about that comes from high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and congestive heart failure.  The Psalmist is talking here about a sick heart that perhaps comes with depression, sadness, despair and agony.  The NIV uses the phrase "my heart is in anguish."  There are times when we struggle because life can be tough.  After all, there is sickness, death, pain, and suffering in this world.  The Fall of Man as outlined in the Book of Genesis describes how that all came to be.  However, even in this verse of gloom there is hope!  "I am sick at heart.  How long, O Lord, until you restore me?"  Did you catch that? It is not "can you restore me?"  It says, "How long, O Lord, until you restore me?"  There is a sense of hope in this verse.  It does not lead one to think that God can't accomplish restoring a sick heart.  In fact, it shows that not only that He is able, but it is anticipated.  Are you anticipating God to restore you or are you experiencing gloom and doom in a way that keeps you clouded and hopeless?  Here is the big picture:  God is able and God will restore you, if you are willing to let Him.  Perhaps you need to pray this prayer:

"Father, I know you love me.  I know you have washed me and my sick heart with the blood of Christ.  Help me Lord, to realize that from this day forward I will be restored and in the big picture, I am redeemed!"

 

Next, it may be helpful to remember the great passage found in Ephesians 3:20-21,

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 3:20-21