Psalm 43:3 Send me your light and your faithful care,
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
    to the place where you dwell.

Most scholars agree that these two Psalms were originally parts of one Psalm, but no one is sure when or why they were separated. At any rate, they are an excellent response to depression, with the Psalmist addressing himself and reminding himself to fix his hope in God. That repeating refrain is interspersed in what is a prayer addressed to God, and I feel like this verse is the heart of that prayer. He is asking God to send out his “light and truth.” (ESV) I don’t know the Hebrew, but the Japanese translates “truth” with a word that means “genuineness, sincerity.” That word is also used in places English translations use “faithfulness,” or “steadfast love.” This version of the NIV says “faithful care.” The Psalmist is recognizing that what he needs is light for his emotional and spiritual darkness, and the awareness that God will never let him down. Having those two things will indeed pull us out of the darkest pit of despair! With that prayer, the Psalmist can indeed hope in God, with the assurance that he will again praise Him, just as the refrain says.

I haven’t fought with clinical depression for a very long time, but I do have “down” moments. That said, I realize that feeling down is completely illogical for me, because I have experienced God’s faithfulness so many times in so many ways. At this point, another encouragement to me is a sister in this church who was in such severe depression that she literally could not leave her house for over two years, but now she is one of the most joyful, solidly based believers you could hope to meet. The transformation in her was so striking that it won both her brother-in-law and her husband to the Lord! I deal with people in difficult circumstances all the time, and my calling is to be a channel of God’s light and truth to them. I’m not to call them down for their depression, but rather gently point them to the God who loved them so much as to send His Son to die for them. I have friends that the wife is actively dying from lung cancer. My heart aches for them, but their faith is strong. The husband is supposed to be in charge of the interdenominational prayer meeting that will meet here in about a week, but at this point it doesn’t look like his wife will make it that long. They really need God’s light and truth! I am to keep praying for them, being grateful that they, and I, have such a faithful God, and that everything will be worked together for great blessing.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your absolute faithfulness! I do pray for the Shigetas, that You would take her home to Yourself at the right time, and that You would support him fully, until such time as You take him home as well, for their eternal blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!