PSALM 54:7 – For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.”
THEME OF THE DAY: REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS. A good Old Testament friend gives us sound wisdom and advice on how to interpret the world as well as our personal lives. Job stated, “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Life is short, full of trouble, and no one is immune. That well sums up life under the sun for all of us! But it is one thing to nod our heads in agreement with Job and especially when those rare moments of being trouble-free in life come upon us. It is a whole different situation when trouble comes, and we feel like we are drowning in it. It is in those seasons, the devil comes as the tempter seeking to sway us to doubt God’s help in trouble. He will come with powerful whispers to our minds and consciences trying to get our eyes off Christ and His promises by focusing more on our trouble, not Him.
So, how are we to quiet the devil and not give into the turmoil and fear doubt produces in times of trouble? One thing. Yes, one thing. It is found in the scripture and theme of the day; remember God’s faithfulness to help in times of trouble. Look back in our past times of trouble. What did we experience, even when tempted to doubt? The faithfulness of God to help and deliver us.
In reading today’s scripture, notice what David does. He looks back. He remembers. He recalls. And what does he recall? The faithfulness of God delivering him from past troubles. This will be the most important spiritual discipline we do in our lives as we encounter many troubles; engage our minds to remember the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises to us in times of trouble. Trace this through the Psalms and see how often the Psalmist, during overwhelming circumstances, pleads the promises of God and casts himself upon the faithfulness of God to fulfill them. Whether it be for strength, protection, or deliverance in troubling times, we exercise faith in who God is and what God has promised – both rooted in His faithful character. And what does that exercise of faith look like in the day-to-day living out the Christian life, even in troubling times? We go back to David’s example in the Psalms – For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness (Psalm 26:3). He relies on God’s faithfulness, not his, in his walk with Him.
So, times of trouble. Job said it is so. Jesus said it is so – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). The Apostle Paul and Barnabas said it is so – When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:21-22). With these realities of life in a troublesome world, let’s ensure we remember God’s faithfulness to us. What He was in past troubles, He will be in present and future troubles as well. Praise Him for it!
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for being faithful to me at all times and especially in times of trouble.”
QUOTE: “When troubles abound and there is temptation to doubt God’s help, remember His past help.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim