Psalm 138:7-8 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
I was on a hike with my fellow sales reps. this spring and we came upon a stream we had to cross over. It was a body of water that had large stones protruding up above the water that you had to step on carefully to get to the other side of the trail without falling into the water. There were no other paths – only this stream which required agility and perfect balance. There was no turning back. We had to keep going to our final destination and the only way to get there was stepping on each of these slippery rocks with one foot at a time. Just beyond this large creek, was a beautiful waterfall. The beauty to be seen during this nature hike, was beyond our immediate scope of vision. We could not see the waterfall that was up ahead, until we were almost through the creek that we had to work to get across. What a magnificent scene of God’s creation! But we couldn’t see it when we first started our hike. Not until the end.
Life is much like that. When we place our faith and trust in God’s everlasting love for us, one day at a time, He preserves us. Our faith is stretched like elastic, as we step carefully on each treacherous stepping stone on our path of life, through the trial, and then maybe another heartache. But God will be our deliverer, comforter, and provider.
David expressed triumphant thanksgiving to God in Psalm 138 for the following:
- David praised God in spite of his difficult circumstances (vv. 1-3). He showed that happiness is a choice.
- David prayed for God’s help, and God answered him, which gave David courage to move forward (v.3).
- David trusted God for deliverance in battle (vv. 7-8) and defeated the enemy. God protected David’s life, as he chose to have unwavering faith in the overruling sovereignty of God.
- David was the only monarch giving praise to God. Other pagan kings of his time, were not, so David prayed that all the kings would hear the words of God, respond in faith, and would then “sing of the LORD’s ways” (vv. 4-5). What an example to us!
- We need to be like David in having audacious faith that God’s eternal purposes will be fulfilled in our life despite monumental challenges.
We can become “fear fighters” by remaining steadfast in reading His word, having faith in His almighty power, and hope in seeing the revelation of His glory. Sometimes we are in the wait for God to give us wisdom and answers longer than we expect.
God does not always answer our prayers as we see fit. The ESV in verse 7 says: “You preserve my life.” The HCSB says: “Your right hand will save me.” I like how the NASB words verse 7: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You revive me. You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies. And Your right hand will save me.” Sometimes when heaviness lasts longer than desired, I have to ask God to give me His CPR. To revive my heart and mind. Do you ever have to do that?
When I was having to step carefully during that hike, and put one foot on the stone ahead of me and then the next foot on the next stone, I was afraid of falling and losing my balance. One man had to take my one hand with his arm and hand in mine, and help hold me up, and helped pull me forward so I wouldn’t fall into the water. I had to trust him to help support me so I wouldn’t tip over and fall. I couldn’t turn back. The only way to go was straight ahead. The reward was eventually standing in front of the impressive waterfall!
God made each one of us and has put us where he wants us to be used for His glory and influence. God had a specific purpose to fulfill through David’s life, and He did not allow the enemy to obstruct God’s plan.
“It’s at the heart of everything we struggle with in life: longing to be valuable, to be accepted, to be prized, to be worth something, to be somebody, to have a life that matters, and God’s saying, “You matter! I didn’t make anyone else like you. You’re not a reprint or a lithograph. You’re a one-of-a-kind, original creation, of God.” Louie Giglio.
How can you show audacious faith that God has a plan and purpose for your life no matter what is on your plate right now?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the surmounting issues of the moment? Have any Goliath’s going on?
How can you vigilantly keep your confidence in the providence of God and not fall into the pit of despair in your most recent trial today?
My Prayer: “God help me to see and know that you are in control. Help me to trust you beyond my understanding. Increase my faith. You have divinely appointed purposes to complete in my life. Help me to say as David said, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me …” Psalm 138:8a.
May you be a fear fighter today!
“God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day!” Louie Giglio.
“I am immortal until the will of God for me is accomplished.” David Livingstone.
Listen to Casting Crown’s “God Of All My Days.”