The Bible is such a wonderful gift from God for so many reasons, but one of those is that it provides real help in times of real hardship – when things are really tough! And the Bible does not “sugar coat” reality either – God’s Word tells us that in this life, we will have tribulations, troubles and difficulties. John 16:33. How do we deal with those trying times? Let me encourage you with a Psalm written by David. But, before we read the Psalm, let me tell you when David wrote this. He did not write it while he was in his “cushy’ palace in Jerusalem. He did not write it when he was sitting on the throne. No, David – like all believers – had times of trouble in his life. He wrote this Psalm while he – God’s anointed King – was on the run in the wilderness and was literally “running for his life.” Painful – yes – but it gets worse. He was not running from a bear or a lion when he wrote this. He was not even running from a foreign enemy. No, h was running from his own son, Absolom, was trying to kill him in order to take the throne. His own flesh and blood!
So, while he was on the run – watching his back – being chased – by his own son – David wrote Psalm 63:3-7:
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
How could he do this? Because David trusted in God’s power and God’s faithfulness above all else. He sought God’s presence and remembered God’s power. He knew that God would be with him.
I do not know what specific problems you are facing, but God does. God has offered His Son to be our refuge – our resting place. So, in your troubles, try practicing what David teaches us. Praise God for the blessings you have. Meditate on God – think about God – day and night. Remember how God has worked in your life in the past. Praise Him!
The trouble may continue – but you will feel God’s presence with you. For a child of God, He never leaves us, nor does He forsake us. We often focus so much on the trouble; we forget God is with us. Always remember!
Bro. Parks