“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” (Psalm 18:2-6 KJV)
We are all watching the tragedy in Haiti unfold before us. This earthquake has destroyed an already devastated country. Our hearts go out to the survivors and we are frustrated because of the huge obstacles that keep help from getting to them. One wonders how the survivors have the strength to go on with their lives.
In a recent news story, the reporter showed an area where many people gather at night to sleep. No homes. No safe havens. There have been over 50 aftershocks, and the people are trying to escape danger. As I watched that report I thought of the futility of their efforts. This gathering place is no safer than any other place in the country. Yet, it is normal to run from the center of trouble and danger. We all do it. We all look for strength to carry on.
The normal reaction is to brace ourselves from the aftershocks of our personal earthquakes. We prepare for what might be coming next. Late night phone calls make us panic: What has happened? Because we are conditioned by the joys of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we tend to live in a universal, problem-free bubble but deep down we know that it is only a dream. Human existence is not trouble-free: “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mat. 5:45 KJV).
The difference between the “just and the unjust” is this . . . the just enjoy a refuge. The songwriter said, “The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm; secure whate’re betides, a shelter in the time of storm.” In order to survive the troubles and sorrows of life, we must be anchored in God, the rock, the fortress, the deliverer . . . our strength.
David, the Shepherd from Bethlehem, called out to the Lord in his trouble and discovered that God gives stability. The Lord can be trusted. The Lord is always a present help. Note David’s confidence: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” Our God, Father-Son-and-Holy Spirit, will be our supporting fortress when our world is crumbling around us. In this New Year, let us trust in him.
Dear Father, thank you for the strength you give to those who trust in you. Empower us with the confidence of your present help and deliverance. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in God’s strength,