Chapter 39 of Genesis again picks up Joseph’s story with a
child of God’s promise laboring as a slave in a foreign land. It is another beautiful picture of our
Savior. While serving well and
faithfully he is adored by a fickle audience and then falsely accused by the
same. This time he lands in another pit
– Pharaoh’s dungeon. What an opportunity
for despair!
One of our great English hymn writers, William Cowper, knew
a great deal about despair and depression.
He even attempted suicide.
Considering that background we find a particularly hopeful title to one
of his hymns, “The Saints Should Never Be Dismayed”. The first line of this hymn reads, “The
saints should never be dismayed, nor sink in hopeless fear; for when they least
expect His aid, the Savior will appear.”
Joseph had been rejected by his
brothers, sold as a slave (in lieu of being killed), falsely accused of a
terrible sin and thrown into a dungeon where condemned prisoners were
kept. All he was doing when he set out
on his fateful journey was to go on an errand to do his father’s will. Are you going about your Father’s will and
things don’t seem to be going too well.
Are the hopes and aspirations you anticipated producing dark skies and
disappointments instead? Does that add
weight to an already physical predisposition to depression? Meet Joseph and William Cowper.
Cowper was “rescued” from the depth
of his depression by John Newton (of Amazing Grace fame) and worked closely
with him for a number of years. What
they did together was write and sing hymns.
Though never cured of his depression, which was for him and still is for
many today a serious physical condition, he moved past the pit of despair to
recognize the grace of God for His children.
He enriched and encouraged the church with wonderful hymns that could
uplift them in their own times of despair.
In this hymn he used biblical illustrations that must have brought
despair and situational depression to those who encountered very trying
times. But he gave a final note of God’s
rich grace and care with the final two lines of his hymn.
“Blest
proofs of power and grace divine that meet us in His Word; may every deep felt
care of mine be trusted with the Lord.”
“Wait
for His seasonable aid, and though it tarry, wait: the promise may be long
delayed,
but cannot come too late.”
but cannot come too late.”
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