PSALM 55:16-19 – But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.”
THEME OF THE DAY: DON’T GIVE IN OR GIVE UP. In today’s scripture, David is facing much trouble. Please read the entirety of the Psalm to grasp its depth. He has enemies after him, his soul is in anguish, sleepless nights plague him, and those he thought were his close companions, friends even, betray him. He has only one place to go – his God and he does so with a sense of urgency, desperation, and persistence. We might rightly say that David models for us the believer in difficult times who will not give in to the pressure of circumstances or give up seeking the Lord.
As we observe David, he displays confidence that God is his God and will come to rescue him – But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. He also is persistent in calling out to his God, not once in the morning, or just when it crosses his mind. No, this man after God’s own heart gives over specific times during the day to bear his burdens to the Lord – Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. And we are about to learn a very important lesson on the life of faith from David.
Yes, David is confident God will hear his prayer. Yes, he is confident God will answer his prayer for deliverance from his enemies yet notice what is lacking in his prayer. He doesn’t know when God is going to answer and how, but the lack of when and how does not move David to give in to his circumstances or give up in seeking the Lord of his circumstances.
We will find ourselves in ways like David. Oh, not with physical enemies seeking our destruction but we will encounter troubles in life, and especially the Christian life, testing our faith as to will we not give in or give up. The Apostle Paul made it clear no one arrives in heaven without “battle wounds” caused by many tribulations or trials – 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). And what is one of the key lessons God wants us to learn from these hard seasons? It is what David models for us – persevering faith manifested by patient waiting on the Lord. James emphasizes this purpose in trials – Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (perseverance). And let endurance (perseverance) have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
So, don’t give in or give up. God is at work in our lives all the time, even when He delays answering our prayers for help in times of trouble. Remember His delays are not His denials.
PRAYER: “Father, may I see Your faithfulness in all things and be strengthened by such truth.”
QUOTE: “Perseverance when God seems to delay in answering our prayers is a mark of mature faith.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim