Trust in God
Stan Reddel
But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14
Stress is one of the pervasive themes of modern life. Who doesn’t suffer from stress? If you’d ask anybody at any age if they had any stress in their life they’d probably greet you with a bemused grin and a sardonic laugh.
Individually, I think our narcissistic, egocentric and sinful selves tend to inflate the degree of our own personal stress. “Boy! Would people feel sorry for me if they only knew what I was going through!”
However, try this for a stressful situation: a group of enemies have conspired to kill you. They have instigated a widespread campaign of slanders and lies. As a result, your name has become disgraced among your neighbors and former friends. When they see you coming, they turn and run the other way. Nobody wants to be identified with you. They figure that your time is short. No one wants to be implicated by association
This is the lament of David in Psalm 31. He is definitely “up against it.”
Moreover, what makes it even more miserable for David is that his son Absalom is probably the instigator of this chaotic mess. Your own “flesh and blood” has turned against you.
But David is not a spiritual novice. He wrestles to process his emotions (probably reflecting back on his dalliance with Bathsheba) and can still acknowledge his ultimate source of strength.
But I trust in you, O Lord: I say, “You are my God.” (v. 14)
Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. (v.16)
David understood that even though he was suffering, the God of all grace was his refuge and strength.
Dear God, thank you for your eternal presence and for being our fortress in times of trouble. Amen
Encounters With Christ 