Trusting In God’s Deliverance In Troubled Times
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Habakkuk 3:1-19 and Psalm 59:1-17 (NIV)
(Josephine Loo from LCEC)
READ:
Psalm 59: 1-17
Psalms 59 is a prayer of David for deliverance; a cry to God for help during a distressing time of attack when he was pursued by Saul’s men. Verses 16 and 17, where David prays for God’s salvation, stood out to me
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
OBSERVE:
In David’s time of distress and need, he looked to God alone. This Psalm demonstrates his complete trust in God. David also firmly believed that God would help him and he would sing of God’s love and proclaim His goodness.
From our present perspective, we know that David was not caught: he did escape King Saul and lived to praise God.
APPLY:
This Psalm is a reminder to me to always turn to God, both in good times and bad.
It is easy to praise God and recognize His blessings when things are going my way. But when things get out of control, I must remember to first turn to God to seek His help, guidance and protection. Often, I rely on my own strength to overcome obstacles myself or seek my family’s and friends’ advice. Although God can also work through the people around us, I need to remind myself that God is in control and intentionally pray to Him first.
In a current challenge I am facing, I resolve to hold on to the promise of God’s sanctifying hope that only He can provide. I fervently pray and firmly believe that the Holy Spirit will guide me to trust in God. He will deliver me from my problems and I will experience His peace. I know I can count on God to be my fortress and protector.
DO:
Each day, there are many situations where I am tempted to take control and do things in my own strength. To avoid this, I need to intentionally cultivate the good habit of setting aside time to read God’s word daily and spend time quietly reflecting in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Firstly, building up this reliance and dependence on God will lead me to understand His teachings and experience His peace. Secondly, the willingness to follow through will allow me to open myself to the power of the Holy Spirit. He will help me to do what God leads me to do.
PRAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, with the many demands of life and distractions that compete for my attention, I pray that I will always remember to set aside time to seek You, in good times and bad. By Your grace and the leading of the Holy Spirit, may I learn to recognize and obey Your small still voice. Purify my heart and thoughts so that I will worship You. As imperfect as I am, teach me to focus on Your perfect love, and to discern right from wrong. In the current challenge, that I know will pass, may Your justice be delivered in Your time, to the full and perfect measure. Make perfect what is imperfect so that all will know that You are God Almighty. Help me to comprehend Your plans and experience the full extent of Your manyfold blessings. May Your Spirit guide me and Your angels protect and help me. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
