WE ARE NEVER ALONE IN OUR TRIALS

WE SO DESPERATELY NEED TO BE CLOSE TO THE WORD OF GOD

READ PSALM 31

PSALM 31:1-5

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me;

rescue me speedily!

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;

and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,

for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;

you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

Again, David guides us in a journey from problems to praise. We don’t really know when this psalm was written, but we know that it was probably written at a different time from other ones that follow the same pattern. This means it is likely that David had to deal with problems most of his life and he needed constantly to focus on his Lord.

Isn’t that a familiar scenario? We are constantly dealing with problems, and the idea that they should disappear is probably not a biblical one, for these problems will expose our sin, will grow us in our sanctification, will bring us closer to God, will prepare us for ministry to our brothers and sisters, and will be an opportunity for God to shine through us in a difficult world.

Problems are always going to be part of our lives, but God has promised to never leave us or forsake us!

David knew very well that his hope in a God Who would rescue him depended on the character of his Lord. It is God’s righteousness that delivers us.

As we run to find refuge in the Lord, we are assured that He is stable. It is wise for us to set our feet on the rock! What a privilege we have because we have a firm foundation. We are wise when we build on it.

Matthew 7:24-27

 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

By God’s grace, we have understood the words of God. Also by His grace, we have repented and turned from sinful ways. And so now we live our lives with a totally different final destination.

Dear friends, what kind of lives would we be living today, had we not been saved by God and received His loving grace? We certainly don’t want to lose sight of that contrast.

The writer knows that even though every situation, every enemy, was supposed to drive him into the arms of God, he needed God to lead him and guide him.

We so desperately need to be close to the Word of God, to allow it to shape our expectations, goals, reactions, and emotions. What a privilege we have to be taught by the Word of God, so we may be shaped and matured.

All David could do was to commit his spirit to the Lord. We cannot read these words without remembering the same words coming from the mouth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

Luke 23:44-46

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

These words followed other words by Jesus just before the cross.

Luke 22:42

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Jesus, our perfect example, submitted His will to God and committed his Spirit into the hands of His Father.

We will have a very difficult time committing our ways to the Lord, unless that commitment is preceded by our complete submission and we know there are very good reasons to make it. David reminds us of them: God has redeemed us and He is faithful. They are certainly good enough reasons for us, also!

May the Lord continue to work in us!