Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join James, a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Finding Courage in Chaos: How Psalm 9 Strengthens the Wounded Soul
Episode Title: Finding Courage in Chaos: How Psalm 9 Strengthens the Wounded Soul
Episode Summary
Psalm 9 is a psalm of defiant praise. In a world marked by trauma, injustice, and fear, David shows us how to worship with a wounded heart and how to trust God's justice even when it feels delayed.
In this episode of Counseling Through the Psalms, James Long, Jr. walks us through the tension between lament and praise, helping us rediscover the courage to rejoice when life feels anything but safe. Whether you are struggling with personal wounds, broken systems, or unanswered prayers for justice, this psalm is a healing guide for the soul.
Key Takeaways
- Praise can be a protest. Worship is not limited to times of victory—it’s a declaration of trust even in trouble.
- God’s justice is sure, even when it is not immediate.
- God sees and remembers the cries of the oppressed. Nothing is overlooked.
- God is both righteous judge and personal refuge. He sits enthroned and He draws near.
- When systems fail, God does not. He is the stronghold for those crushed by injustice or fear.
Scripture Focus
- Psalm 9:1–20
- Psalm 113:5–6
- Hebrews 4:15–16
- Revelation 21:4
Reflect and Respond
- In what areas of your life have you struggled to believe God sees your pain?
- How does Psalm 9 challenge your view of justice and God’s timing?
- What are some “wonderful deeds” of the Lord you can recount today?
- Are there places in your heart where you’ve stopped praying for justice because it felt too delayed?
- How might praise become a form of protest for you in this season?
- What would it look like to seek God as your stronghold right now?
- Who around you needs to hear that God has not forgotten their cries?
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ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
Links
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Google Podcast – https://jameslongjr.org/googlepodcast
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James Long Jr, a special series from Lessons for Life. I'm James, and in each episode we will journey into the rich, honest and healing language of the Psalms to find hope, clarity and comfort for life's deepest struggles. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, grief, anger or spiritual dryness, the Psalms offer us a path towards restoration and peace through God's Word. So, wherever you are right now, take a deep breath and let's enter into the heart of Scripture together. Hey, welcome back. It's James Long Jr, and this is Counseling Through the Psalms, and we are at Psalm 9.
Speaker 1:Psalm 9 offers praise for God's justice and protection. Even when the world feels unsafe and broken. In a world of trauma, confusion and injustice, this psalm restores the soul by reminding us who sits on the throne. So do me a favor grab your Bible, your journal and something to write with, and we're going to work through this psalm. Turn with me to Psalm chapter 9. And let's begin with wholehearted praise.
Speaker 1:In the face of chaos, sometimes the deepest praise comes not from moments of triumph, but from valleys of trials. Psalm 9 begins not with a cry of desperation, but with a declaration of trust and gratitude. Cry of desperation, but with a declaration of trust and gratitude. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all your wonderful deeds, verse 1. Now, this is not denial, it's defiance. The psalmist lifts his voice and prays, not because everything is right, but because he knows the Lord reigns. When you walk through betrayal, trauma or injustice, giving thanks can feel unnatural. Psalm 9 invites us into something deeper than sentiment. This is the wholehearted worship that remembers the past faithfulness of God in the midst of present fear. The psalmist doesn't minimize the threat around him. He names them. Enemies rise, verse 3. The needy are oppressed verse 12. And evil appears to prosper. But his faith is not blind to danger. It chooses to see God in the storm. For the hurting. This is a model. We don't wait until the healing is complete to worship. We begin with our whole hearts, even if those hearts are broken. We recount his deeds not.
Speaker 1:The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed. Psalm 9 makes an extraordinary claim the Lord is both a just judge and a personal refuge. Watch what it says here in verses 7 and 9. But the Lord sits enthroned forever. He has established his throne for justice. And then, a little bit later on, it says this the Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. This brings a profound comfort for those who have felt crushed under the weight of injustice, abuse or fear. God is not aloof, he is not slow to notice, he is not indifferent to the cries of the vulnerable. In fact, he remembers. Watch what it says in verse 12. He does not forget the cries of the afflicted To the one who has been overlooked by others, neglected by systems or harmed by people who never said sorry. Psalm 9 says what that God sees you. He hears the cries that never made it to the journal. He counts the tears that others dismiss and he will not let evil go unanswered. For the oppressed, the Lord is not only a far-off judge but a near and intimate refuge. He is a fortress not built of stone but of faithfulness. In him the soul finds safety that cannot be taken away, remembering the Righteous Judge.
Speaker 1:In a world where injustice can feel unchecked, psalm 9 offers perspective. The psalmist is not naive. He knows wickedness exists, but he also believes in a God who judges the world with righteousness and executes judgment for the peoples with equity verse 8. This conviction matters when the innocent suffer and the guilty strut. We are tempted to despair. Psalm 9 reminds us that there is one who is not mocked. There is one whose justice never sleeps. The thrones of the wicked are temporary. The throne of God is eternal. That does not mean justice is always swift, but it is sure. The psalmist is confident, not because he sees immediate vindication, but because he knows God's character. Verse 10 says this those who know your name put their trust in you. For you, o Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. When nothing makes sense and the scales seem permanently tilted, the truth steadies the soul. God will judge rightly. He will make all things new. Until then, we wait, we trust and we cry out, not as victims of chaos, but as children of the King Singing praises in a broken world.
Speaker 1:Psalm 9 ends as it begins, in praise. But it's not shallow praise. It's a hard-won, battle-tested worship that flows from a heart that has seen injustice and still believes in redemption. Verse 14 says I will rejoice in your salvation. The psalmist declares in verse 14, even as he continues to plead for deliverance. Even as he continues to plead for deliverance, the psalm holds together a paradox lament and praise, groaning and rejoicing, fear and faith. It does not pretend that evil is gone. It declares that evil does not win. The wicked will sink in a pit. They made verse 15. The needy will not always be forgotten verse 18. This kind of praise is not escapism, it is protest. It says, even here, even now, I will not give the last word to evil. I will sing, I will praise, I will trust the God who reigns. If you have been silent in your suffering, let Psalm 9 awaken your song again, not because your pain is over, but because your hope is real.
Speaker 1:What are some of the doctrinal insights from Psalm 9? God's justice. The Lord judges rightly, always and finally. His justice may be delayed, but it is never denied God's nearness. He is a stronghold for the oppressed, a refuge in the day of trouble. God remembers, he does not forget the cries of the afflicted, even when others do. God reigns, his throne is eternal. No power can overthrow him, and salvation belongs to the Lord. Our deliverance is not man-made, it is God-given.
Speaker 1:So now let's make this practical. Let's take all that theology and make it practical. When injustice breaks your heart, remember that God's justice is not on pause. He sees. If your story includes abuse, betrayal or fear, take refuge in the Lord, who never forsakes those who seek him. When trust feels fragile, recount the Lord's past faithfulness. This is how faith is rebuilt. If worship seems impossible, begin with remembering. Even broken hallelujahs are precious to God. When systems fail, you fall into the arms of a God who never will. If you feel forgotten, hold on to this truth. Your cries have not been lost on God. He remembers. Okay, now let's spend some time reflecting and responding.
Speaker 1:Question number one In what areas of your life have you struggled to believe God sees your pain? Question number two how does Psalm 9 challenge your view of justice? Question number three what are some wonderful deeds of God that you can remember and recount today? Question number four Are there places where you have stopped praying for justice because it felt too delayed? Question number five how can praise become a form of protest in your present situation? Question number six what would it look like to seek God as your stronghold in this season? And question number seven who in your life might need to be reminded that God has not forgotten their cries?
Speaker 1:Well, let us pray. Father, thank you for revealing yourself through the power of your word. Lord Jesus, thank you for being the fulfillment of every promise and the anchor for every storm. Holy Spirit, guide us into deeper truth, lasting peace and transforming hope. Teach us to walk in the truth of this psalm today. In Christ's name, we pray, amen. Well, if you're looking for more support, join our free navigator level at Lessons for Life Community at communityjameslongjrorg for devotionals, meetups and training that will help you walk by faith, or explore one of our full memberships at jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now for deeper coaching and content designed to help you grow emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Well, thank you for being here. Until next time, be blessed, take care.
