One for Two
“For your arrows have sunk deep into me, and you hand has pressed down on me.” Psalm 38:2
To Descend – A single verb is used for both of these phrases. It is nakhath. Obviously, it covers a wide range of meanings. To bend a bow in battle. To bring down or pull down something. To go down to a place. All of these senses are found in the Bible. But here David is writing poetry. Good poetry stretches words so that they create unusual and memorable images. Heavens do not shout, except in poetry. Hills do not sing, expect in poetry. And God does not really shoot arrows or push me down with His hand. But sometimes it certainly feels like He does.
David takes this Hebrew verb and stretches it. Now it’s not just about bows and arrows in battle. It’s about those fiery darts that penetrate my heart and soul in the midst of my sin. Now it’s not about going down to Miami. It’s about the weight of my transgression crushing my spirit. When the pressure of emotional hydraulics heightens my spiritual awareness, I am squeezed by God’s presence in very uncomfortable ways. I will be tempted to run for cover, to grab any shield close at hand or look for support from others. It’s a mistake. Emotional pain is a vital part of spiritual growth. It’s natural medicine for the soul. Don’t take a pill. Take a dose of reality. Let God cut in order to cure.
I love David. He isn’t afraid to come to God when God is after him and it hurts. He puts his heart into all that he does. He confronts God head-on. “Lord, I’m a wreck because of You. I know I’ve screwed up big time. I feel it all, right down to my toes. I’m sick of myself.” What a prayer! David doesn’t care about the formalities and the rituals. He’s contending with God. He’s at the end of his rope. The next step is suicide unless God comes through. David doesn’t expect miracles. He expects the Miracle Maker. That’s all he wants. Just show up for me, God. That’s enough. You don’t have to do anything. Just be here.
Years ago I stood in the window of my second floor apartment, listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I knew I would never get back to the Garden. Suddenly my life split open. The floodgates of emotional protection were opened and years of tears overflowed the spillway. My life stood on the edge of ruin. I didn’t need a miracle of recovery. I just needed a God who cared. I still do. David is my brother in arms. We go into the battle together, bleeding from the same wounds. We look for the same God and beg for mercy.
