Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 31:9-16
31:9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
31:10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
31:11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
31:12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
31:13 For I hear the whispering of many– terror all around!– as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
31:14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
31:15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
31:16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
Reflections
Persecution and suffering are something that we all face as Christians. Whether it be for the sake of the gospel or from a present hard circumstance, we all experience hard seasons in our life.
The Psalmist is not sugar coating the reality of his situation. There is indeed great reason to be fearful and filled with hopelessness. However, in the midst of all that, he still takes the time to recognize that God is his only refuge. That through Him, he can find true rest and peace in the midst of a scary and hard time. He goes exactly to the source and the one who can deliver him from any and all bad circumstances.
Having faith when faced with a scary situation is not easy. It takes great amount of courage, prayer and help to remember that God is for us and is always lovingly guiding our every step. It is not the circumstance that shapes us, it is our response that truly reveals how much faith we have in our all powerful and loving God.
God does not stand on the sidelines of life and is not at all surprised by what we face. He knows and has planned out our every step, and He can provide the strength that we need to make it through life’s storms.
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
Lyrics by: Hillsong
Amen