TRIALS EXPOSE OUR FAITH
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not
David hiding among us?”
Psalm 54:1-2
1 O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth
David had a real problem
and real enemies! If left to his own, he would be in a real mess. David also
had a real God and a real faith in Him.
Dear friends, it is our reactions
to difficulties that expose whom we believe in and what we believe. David’s
trust was based on the name and power of God.
One of the questions we
should ask ourselves (and our reactions will always expose this) is what we
believe about the character of God and His power.
If asked, we all would
state that we believe that God is holy, is loving, righteous, wise, meticulous,
and careful. We would proclaim that He is all-powerful and that He has no
limitations. Our reactions to our trials and difficulties will then show if we
live with awareness that everything is channeled through God’s careful
sovereign work.
We are challenged in our
beliefs continually. We know God is in control of every aspect of our lives,
from the smallest to the greatest. When David wrote these songs, his purpose
was to remind himself of these truths as he lived and confronted the daily
challenges of his life.
3 For strangers have risen against
me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves. Selah
David’s difficulties were
real! There were those who desired to kill him. They were enemies of God, with
no intention to submit to Him. It is difficult to deal with the sinfulness of
the world. At times we are overwhelmed by the viciousness of the lies of those who
seem to have no moral boundaries. Every believer, in every time of history, has
had to deal with these realities and has had only one place to find refuge.
4 Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
God is our helper. He is
aware, He is capable, and He gives life and sustains life. His intentions are
always marvelously perfect. He can only do what is good and perfect, according
to His eternal purposes for us. His purposes cannot be thwarted.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
In God’s timing He will
make things right.
Romans 12:17-21
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought
to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it
depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves,
but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is
mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy
is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so
doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by
evil, but overcome evil with good.
Not only does God expect
us to trust Him and to rely on Him for help, but as we wait on Him, our
behavior needs to be driven by love. We should be extending to others the grace
we have received from God and we should cherish the forgiveness He grants to us
every time we sin and repent before Him.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to
you;
I will give thanks to your name,
O Lord, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my
enemies.
Our lives should be filled
with thankfulness that we have a caring God whom we can rely upon. God will
triumph; His justice will prevail. We know exactly what our eternal destiny is,
and we know that the purposes of God are always good.
May our lives today
reflect these truths, and may we be prepared, as we tackle whatever challenges the
day brings.
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