Fixing A Disquieted Heart

The great King David, who as a teenager stood up to Goliath and prevailed because he believed God, was chosen by God to be King over all Israel.  Yet at times he still had his troubles; he was human.

He was pursued by King Saul and by Saul's soldiers, who were sent to kill him on more than one occasion.  At times he lived on the run and in caves.  One of his own sons tried to steal the kingdom from him.  No doubt David at times wondered why he, as God's chosen King, who had led his armies into battle on many occasions without losing a single man, should have to suffer the pitfalls of life that he did.


Act 13:22, 23

And when he had removed him [Saul], he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:


King David was part of the believer’s lineage that led to Jesus Christ, as Mary the mother of Jesus Christ was a descendant of his.  He was a man after God’s own heart!  How is that for a recommendation!  And yet his life was not trouble free. One can read Psalms and see the many times where David “talked it over” with God, baring his heart and coming to God openly for strength and help.


Psalm 42:1-3

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:  when shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?


No doubt David tired at times of the daily fight of living among ungodly people and situations.  He yearned for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and for the Kingdom of God with a new heaven and a new earth.  This great King David poured out his heart to God.  His tears were his "meat" day and night; people taunted him saying "Where's your God now?  Look, the great King David is human after all."

In Psalm 42:5, 11, and Psalm 43:5 there is a phrase that tells us what David did to turn his thinking and heart around.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?"


Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  and why art thou disquieted in me?  hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  and why art thou disquieted within me?  hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  and why art thou disquieted within me?  hope in God:  for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.


To be "cast down" is to be prostrate, laid low, bowed down.  It is when your soul is beaten so low you feel you cannot get back up and face life another day.

"Disquieted" is to be stirred up and in a commotion, turbulent, not peaceful.  Have you ever been so agitated you could not think straight?  Did you ever think God has forgotten you and no longer listens?  David is asking himself "Why?  How did I let my soul get so low and full of turmoil?”

However look at what David did to recover:  "hope in God:  for I shall yet praise him".  At times we need to stop trying to analyze how we got so low and simply hope, or wait on, God, and to praise Him and thank Him for deliverance.

"Hope" (Strong's H3176) is used many times in Psalms, and is usually translated "hope".  It can also be translated "wait".  King David believed in and waited for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the future resurrection (Acts 2:27, 31).  We as born again believers look forward to the return of Christ and our gathering together (2nd Thessalonians 2:1) unto him.  King David, as great a believer that he was, was a servant, not a son.  We are sons of God by the new birth! (Romans 10:9, 10)

David fixed his beaten down and disquieted heart by turning his mind to the hope and to the praising of God.  "Praise" is also translated "give thanks".  By turning our minds to the hope of Christ's return and praising God, giving thanks for who and what we are in Christ, we will fix our disquieted heart, for God is the help and health of our countenance.  He is our source of comfort and peace.  We must go to the Word of God, for the Bible is the revealed Word and Will of God, to learn what we have in Christ and to claim the Father’s promises to us.

As we look forward to the hope of the Return of Christ and praise Him we can pour out our hearts to our Heavenly Father without embarrassment or condemnation.  Our God is a loving Father who desires us to come to Him with all our cares.  Do not hesitate to do so.


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