Thursday 19 August, 2021

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 1 You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us! 2 You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. 3 You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger. 4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. 5 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. 6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. 7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? 11 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where things have gotten completely out of hand, and it seems that everything you thought was true now seems like a lie? I know I have. But when it feels like your life has been tossed in the air and the pieces have fallen down all wrong where do you turn? It seems to be human nature to feel rejected by God when things are calamitous, but as people of Faith we need to have countercultural thinking. The forward for this psalm says it is for use ‘for teaching’ – the people in David’s day were just like us. They needed to be encouraged in the face of disaster, and reminded that God is still there, still who he says he is, and still in control NO MATTER WHAT!

Verse 5 is the cry of our heart when things are bad, and verse 12 is the solid foundation of Faith on which we can stand. So, my ’take home’ is this: don’t feel bad if you are feeling abandoned by God at times. You are not the first to feel like that and you won’t be the last. But be encouraged, as People of Faith we can know that no matter how we feel in the midst of our circumstances God is with you, He is for you and with Him we will overcome the circumstances we face.

Thank you Father that you never leave or abandon me. I give you my fears and doubts, and I receive the truth that you love me and are with me. Help me Lord to find your victory in the things that threaten my peace of mind. I thank you that you are Lord of all, in all things, at all times. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Written by Christine Knight