Are
you going through a trial right now?
Do
you trust God?
Are
you going to wish that you had navigated through the trial in a more godly way?
Psalm 18:1-3
I love you,
O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is
my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my
God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my
shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon
the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and
I am saved from my enemies.
‘I love you O LORD’… how does a human being display love to
the Creator and Sustainer of the universe?
We know that this psalm was written by David after God had protected
him from his enemies, including Saul. We also know that David’s praise did not
begin after the deliverance, but had been part of his attitude all through the
trials. David had restrained himself when he had the opportunity to kill Saul
and had trusted God to be his protector and helper.
David praises God for having been his fortress and
deliverer, for he had placed his confidence in his God, his rock; he was
unmoved in his resolve and trust. Now, he could rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s
protection of him and defeat of his enemies.
Have you ever had a situation where God has come to your
rescue, but you haven’t gone through your trial well? Times when you had become
ungrateful and bitter and angry? Situations where you have not responded well
to others? Trials where you have not been a good example for your family,
friends, and also to your enemies?
When I look at these words and then review David’s life, I can see that his praise was preceded by
complete trust before his
deliverance. I know that there are many times that I have rejoiced in God’s
provision and help, but I have not gone through the trial well.
Are you going through a trial right now? Do you trust God?
Are you going to wish that you had navigated through the trial in a more godly
way? No matter how you have reacted thus far, the wonderful thing is that you
can stop, review your heart and behavior, and ask God for forgiveness and
strength to finish the remainder of the trial well.
I am so glad that some of my trials have lasted long enough
to give me time to repent and react correctly to my circumstances.
David’s trials were real and hard.
Psalm 18:4-5
The cords
of death encompassed me;
the
torrents of destruction assailed me;
the cords
of Sheol entangled me;
the
snares of death confronted me.
It is not the size or the length of the trial that should
direct our reactions, but our dependence upon the greatness of our God and the
power of His care and love.
Psalm 18:6
In my
distress I called upon the LORD;
to
my God I cried for help.
From his
temple he heard my voice,
and
my cry to him reached his ears.
The trial was great; David knew he could not hide his pain
from God, for what he needed to do was to pray and worship. Some, during their
trials, tend to remove themselves from their brothers and sisters in Christ; at
times even their worship in church diminishes. David had continued to be faithful
in his worship and from God’s temple he cried out for help.
But God desires our sincere communion with Him; he loves to
hear our prayers, and is glorified by our trusting submission.
As we continue to look at this psalm, we will see God’s
response and intervention, His power displayed. But sufficient for today, is
our need to review our lives to assess how we are reacting to our own trials.
David says that he loves the LORD. This term ‘love’ is used
rarely, and is a very tender term. There is complete love and dependence, as a
lost sheep to its shepherd:.
Luke 15:3-7
So he told them this parable: “What man of
you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the
ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he
finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And
when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to
them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I
tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
God does not have too many sheep to take care of! Even if
you are the least of His sheep, you are as important to God as all the other
ones!
Are you tempted to forget the meticulous care and attention
that God has for you? If you are a child of God, the angels in heaven rejoiced
when you became His child. God sent His Son to pay the price of your sin and make
it possible for you to have a relationship with Him.
Trials are real and they hurt. We might not see their end,
but we should never lose sight of our wonderful Savior.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a
child is born,
to
us a son is given;
and the
government shall be upon his shoulder,
and
his name shall be called
Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.
This is the LORD Who is taking care of us! May our minds
rest in the peace that accompanies this wonderful truth!
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