As pastors, it is satisfying to know that we can make a lasting contribution and assist others in their need. Being in the swirl of activity, resourceful and responsive, we tend to think it’ll never end.

But it does. Sometimes ever so slowly through a chain of events or sometimes abruptly without warning, we find ourselves sidelined and no longer in demand.

A tiny blood clot in the brain can seize our usefulness and leave us in its devastating grip. Another factor is age . . . merely growing older can move us away from today’s main thoroughfares.

By being passed over for a promotion or by being benched because a stronger associate joins the team, we start feeling overlooked. It hurts.

The eighth psalm in God’s ancient hymnal is a great one for those times in our ministries when we begin to be bypassed, set aside, or overlooked. It highlights the value God places upon His creatures, especially humankind. (That includes us pastors!)

Perhaps as you read this you feel alone, maybe even deserted. What a distressing, barren valley is loneliness! But listen to what you’ve been preaching to others!

If you have the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you have a constant Companion and faithful Friend. He never leaves you in the lurch. This psalm is proof positive that He does not consider you as unimportant or overlooked.

He isn’t irritated by your coming to Him with your needs. He never looks upon your prayers or requests as interruptions. As the book of James reminds us: He gives “generously and without reproach” (1:5). He also provides good gifts without “variation or shifting shadow” (1:17).

Do you know why? The answer is grace.

• Sheer
• Undeserved
• Umerited
• Unearned favor

Therefore, right now, cast your feelings of insignificance and your struggle with despair on Him. Tell Him that you are claiming this eighth Psalm as a promise of His personal grace, concern, and love for you.

Perhaps David composed Psalm 8 as a victory hymn after defeating the giant Goliath. I challenge you to take that personal “giant” named Feeling Overlooked and ask God to give you victory over him today!

Who knows? Another Goliath could fall by sundown.

—Chuck