God, Who Comforts the Downcast

Written by John Fox

We all face times of trial in our lives when we could be described as “downcast.” What encouragement does the Bible give to those facing trials?

The Christian life is one of great blessings. Through the miracle of conversion, we are called by God to understand, repent and live His truth. We have direct access to God through Jesus Christ. We can have love, peace and joy even during tough times, plus faith to see beyond today’s evils to God’s Kingdom!

Yet the Christian life also includes trials.

Job wrote, “Man is born to trouble” (Job 5:7). That’s life. The world around us is spiraling toward the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). On a personal level, many struggle to put food on the table and gas in the car, pay the bills and (worst of all) deal with severe health troubles.

During these times of difficulty, it is normal to become discouraged. Even Jesus Christ experienced this the night before His crucifixion: “Then He [Christ] said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death’” (Matthew 26:38).

Our elder Brother knows what it is like to face a life-altering trial and to face fear. To use the vernacular, He has “been there, done that.” As He sits at God’s right hand, He intercedes for us in a personal way. God is very concerned about our trials: “Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast …” (2 Corinthians 7:6).

What does downcast mean?

Psalm 42:5 asks, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” Usually it is helpful to look up words like downcast or cast down in their original context. This psalm of King David seems to have been inspired by his experience as a shepherd.

In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, author and sheepherder Phillip Keller employs his 20th-century experiences to bring to life David’s words of being “cast down”:

“This is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. A ‘cast’ sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success … in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die” (p. 50, emphasis added).

More than once I have felt that way in life, and I suspect many readers have also.

Being “cast down” is a time of confusion, but it can also be a time for reflection. If we as sheep have surrendered our wills to the Chief Shepherd, then we can count on His help and comfort in our lives through the Bible and through the care of the shepherds (pastors) God provides.

How do we face being downcast?

Continuing with Psalm 42, verse 11 of this insightful psalm provides great comfort: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”

One of the Gospels tells us that Jesus Christ prayed to His Father with such emotion that He sweat drops of blood! God responded by sending an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43-44). Then, after praying on His knees, Christ stood on His feet and faced what He knew He had to do. That is why Hebrews 7:25 should strengthen and comfort us: “Therefore He [Christ] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

When we are downcast, we can follow Christ’s example of prayer, followed by action.

If you are downcast …

Many are enduring trials at this time. We will all face times of being downcast. But thankfully God comforts the downcast! We have that promise—and so many others!

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses [or our times of being cast down], but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

We have the assurance that God comforts the downcast. God’s people endure and move forward on that rock-solid truth!

For insights into dealing with trials in our lives, read: