Apr 15 (Daily reading: Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52) The various psalms that David wrote during the times when his life was threatened are an encouragement to us. We may not know danger to the extent that he did, but stress can be very real in our lives. A word that David used often was “refuge” which is defined as “shelter or protection from danger or distress.” “O LORD my God, in You I have taken refuge” (7:1; 31:1). The NKJV defines our taking refuge in God as placing our trust in Him. We can trust Him to provide security and protection!
Because David trusted in God’s sovereignty, he could say, “My times are in Your hand” (31:15). Other versions replace “times” with life, future, or destiny. We can absolutely trust Him for His righteousness (7:17), His strength (31:4), His faithfulness (31:7, 16, 21; 52:1, 8), His goodness (31:19), and His presence (27:9). Because He is sovereign, we can say with David, “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD” (31:24).
David’s confidence in the times of adversity should encourage us in our times of difficulty. He wanted above all, in his words, to “dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” (27:4). He told us specifically what sustained him in his times of waiting: “I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (27:13). Knowing that our Lord is alive, that He lives in us, will see us through the most devastating times of stress or crisis!
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (27:14).
– Al Gary
Leave a Reply