Heal this Troubled Soul

A young pastor called me, ready to quit the ministry. The Lord had been using him in a wonderful way, but now he was discouraged, feeling worthless, useless, no good to God at all. When he called me, he was devastated over some decisions he had made and indicated that he was ready to give up. He was angry at God and when he talked with me, I sensed that he expected me to be angry with him. But he was so broken and beaten down that I felt only God’s love and compassion for him.

I didn’t lecture this young pastor or rebuke him. Instead, I silently prayed, “Dear Lord, what can I say to this man that will heal his troubled soul? What do you have for him? What comfort from your Spirit, your Word?”

The Lord impressed me, “Send him to Psalm 107.” I later discovered that this psalm has been called “the Old Testament love feast.” It is one of the most encouraging passages in all of God’s Word and it is meant especially for those needing forgiveness, deliverance, restoration. The final verse promises the reader an understanding of who God truly is:

 “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” (107:43).

God is saying, “Observe, read, study this psalm and you will be given a comprehensive understanding of my longsuffering and lovingkindness.” I believe that as you study this entire psalm, you will receive a revelation of God’s great love, even toward the rebellious and disobedient. You see, it is a promise — proof that God will never walk out on any of his children, regardless of how low they may have sunk.

Consider how much you love your own child. Is there anything that precious one could do that would make you reject him? How much more the heavenly Father loves his own and extends love and forgiveness! His ear is always open to our cry.