Strong on our behalf
by Ruth Olsen
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Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life (Psalm 138:7).
Have you ever desperately needed the Lord’s help and cried out to him to intervene in your situation … and then recognised his answer when it came? What was your response?
David recognised God’s answer (verse 3), and praise to the Lord simply kept pouring out, overflowing in gratitude and thanksgiving, calling kings of nations to hear the Lord’s words and to join in praising the Lord. David knew he had received from God and was now overflowing with gratitude. David knew from experience that the Lord looks on the lowly. He also knew the Lord’s attitude to the proud – those dependent on themselves or other ‘gods’ (Psalms 31:23; 101:5; 131:1; see also Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 3:8; 5:5–7 – and Peter had learned this the hard way).
David had walked through some deep and dark times in his life. I can imagine there were many challenges already as a shepherd boy. The sooner we learn – and remember – challenges are actually opportunities, the more we can grow in wisdom, courage and strength of character, recognising our purpose. Our life is richer when we call to the Lord for help. He loves us and loves to help us! That’s why Jesus came for us. That’s why the Father has sent his Holy Spirit to us, to be God’s power within us, enabling us to overcome fear or whatever comes against us, to grow in gratitude and to know the Lord in the process.
As we have been reminded this week, the Lord desires us to know him, trust him and live! He wants to be part of our daily life so that he may be strong on our behalf in and through us (2 Chronicles 16:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9,10), to bring us through our time of trouble, making us stronger. It requires focus and commitment to come to the place of surrender to ‘Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds’ (James 1:2–6). But trials are a place where we meet the Lord!
Thank you, Lord, that you watch out for us. Help us encourage others around us in their times of trouble also. Amen.
Ruth has been the other half of her husband Steen for 48-plus years. She has lived in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, New Zealand, and now again in Adelaide, South Australia. Together with their children and grandchildren, they number 11, so Ruth says it was rather sad when lockdown caps were 10 per household! Among many other activities, she is often reading or learning French. She is grateful for open borders now, with more caravan trips beckoning.
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