You have God

 Psalm 142:1–7 (ESV):  

1  With my voice I cry out to the Lord; 

with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. 

 2  I pour out my complaint before him; 

I tell my trouble before him. 

 3  When my spirit faints within me, 

you know my way! 

  In the path where I walk 

they have hidden a trap for me. 

 4  Look to the right and see: 

there is none who takes notice of me; 

  no refuge remains to me; 

no one cares for my soul. 

 5  I cry to you, O Lord; 

I say, “You are my refuge, 

my portion in the land of the living.” 

 6  Attend to my cry, 

for I am brought very low! 

  Deliver me from my persecutors, 

for they are too strong for me! 

 7  Bring me out of prison, 

that I may give thanks to your name! 

  The righteous will surround me, 

for you will deal bountifully with me. 

You can turn to God when you have nowhere left to turn. When no-one will listen to you, you have God. When no-one else will help, you have God. When there is no place of safety left, you have God. This was David’s reflection when he was terrified, confused, and in hiding because he was being persecuted. So scared and alone was he that he had taken to hiding in a cave, he didn’t know where else to go, everywhere he looked he could only see traps and danger. So in the darkness of the cave, David calls out to God for help for, ‘there is none who takes notice of me’ and 'no one cares for my soul’. All alone, no support, unnoticed, uncared for. 

As David realises that human help is non-existent, no one wants to be associated with him or acknowledge him, he turns to the One that never leaves or forsakes him. He acknowledges to God that, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living’. David is confident that God can provide all that he needs. God is his safety, provider, companion and supporter even when it seems as if the whole world is against him. David knows that he lives only because God wills it, and he has faith that God wants him to keep living. Although he is desperate, concerned for his physical safety and is ‘brought very low’, he knows that he is only breathing and surviving because God is providing life and refuge. Therefore David asks God for a miracle, ‘Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me’. His conclusion is that because there are enemies all around that haven’t yet found or harmed him, and that he still breathes, God has a purpose and a rescue mission in mind for him. Yet David knows he cannot come through this situation alone, he is not strong enough, and there is literally no other person to help, only God. That is all he needs, so he asks God for help. David is not strong enough, he cannot keep safe by himself and he cannot even breathe without God, so who else can he rely on?!

Have you ever got to that point of desperation or loneliness? Maybe you try to keep going, thinking that you can work things out or handle the persecution and difficulty. Yet there comes a point when you have to admit, ‘they are too strong for me’. You do not need to keep battling alone, God can be your refuge just like he was David’s. If you are a believer in God, you have Him on your side. You are not strong enough to deliver yourself, to change the hearts and minds of the enemies pursuing you, and you are not clever enough to outsmart them, but do you know who is? God. He wants to be your refuge, deliverer, strength and guide, are you inviting Him to be? God will bring you out of situations that feel like caves and prisons when you call out to Him. You too can be assured that ‘you will deal bountifully with me’. This was David’s recognition once he had poured out his fears. He remembered that he was not really alone, that he had a fierce protector, a great comforter, a wise guide, and the most powerful King in the universe on his side! Therefore he did not need to trust in the cave, or his own ideas, but he could trust in the One who would deal bountifully with him, and who is keeping him alive and safe right now. 

What is your realisation about God when things are tough in your life? What truth do you hold onto? 

Remember that in all circumstances of life, you have God, When you feel most desperate and alone, you have God, when you need safety and reassurance, you have God. Speak to Him. Trust Him. Listen to Him. For, ‘It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed”’ (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

 Psalm 10:1–18:

1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

2  In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; 

let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 

3  For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, 

and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. 

4  In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; 

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” 

5  His ways prosper at all times; 

your judgments are on high, out of his sight; 

as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 

6  He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; 

throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 

7  His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; 

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 

8  He sits in ambush in the villages; 

in hiding places he murders the innocent. 

His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 

9  he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; 

he lurks that he may seize the poor; 

he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 

10  The helpless are crushed, sink down, 

and fall by his might. 

11  He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, 

he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” 

12  Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; 

forget not the afflicted. 

13  Why does the wicked renounce God 

and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 

14  But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, 

that you may take it into your hands; 

to you the helpless commits himself; 

you have been the helper of the fatherless. 

15  Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; 

call his wickedness to account till you find none. 

16  The Lord is king forever and ever; 

the nations perish from his land. 

17  O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; 

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 

18  to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, 

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

Have you ever felt that this is true, that when you most need Him, God is hiding? If so, you will probably relate to David's words in this psalm. He too wondered why God seems so far off when trouble comes. So he rants to God about it, getting his concerns and fears off his chest by telling God about the harm and distress he sees going. He lets God that he sees it is not fair that those unable to help themselves are persecuted. Yet the powerful. greedy people who have no regard for God are successful and the cause of  oppression. As you consider the world today - has much changed?

The reason for a lot of suffering and oppression is often because those who do not follow God are getting their own way (v3). They are interested in what they can get out of life at whatever cost and do not care that others may be negatively affected by their pursuits. The wicked boast of their; lifestyle, riches, power and desires unhindered and seemingly unopposed. They have a disregard for others and for the concept that there may even be a God - they are the master of their own worth and destiny (v11 &13). Yet what they desire never seems satisfied and so they go further from God and descend into greater chaos, ignorance and sin. Their wicked desires can never be fulfilled. There will never be enough; money, time, entertainment, knowledge or physical pleasure to fulfil their lives, but they seek more and more and end up drowning in despair, chaos and sin. Yet they know not what they are doing - they do not realise that this endless unsatisfying cycle can stop when they begin to know God. These people are seen as wicked and determined in their sinful ways, and so they can be, yet, is it not actually sad that these people are missing out on satisfaction, hope and fulfilment? They are growing in sin because they do not know God and so they do not really know themselves nor the way to contentment and they don't know it. This is why David invites God to, ‘Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none’. David requests that God break the strength of the wicked so that the suffering of others may stop but also so that they can be called to account. The best solution David sees is that these 'evildoers' realise their wrongs and receive the full forgiveness of God. That is David's plea for the corruption that he witnesses - is that yours? Often we pray for the demise and destruction of the wicked and their schemes, but do you pray for the salvation and restoration of their souls? David prayed for their transformation, that God would so change them that no wickedness could be found in them. Has not God done that for you? Transformed your life from one of wicked intent to a life seeking to honour and obey Him? So, should you not join David as he yearns for the breaking of the strength of the wicked and for their salvation? Even the person furthest away from God has a need for Him they just haven’t found it yet. God has not yet broken their arm and called them to account, but He will. 

when David sees situations that are unjust and unfair he goes to God about it. He rants and pours out his experience and what he witnesses, then he lets God knows what he thinks and seeks God for a radical solution, knowing that God is king of it all. Instead of asking for the wicked to be beaten and diminished, he asks for their salvation. Instead of praying that the oppressed and poor will be elevated, he asks that God will strengthen, help, hear and do justice for them. How do you pray for those far from God and for those whom are suffering? 

David has come to realise that even when God seems to be doing nothing, God is aware. He is not actually hiding or closing His eyes to what is happening. God has His plan we don't know what it is. So we have to wait and trust Him knowing that God is good and that He cares for HIs people. When you next encounter a situation where you wonder what God is doing try praying like David - let God know what you see, remember who God is and pray for radical solutions like salvation and strength for, 'The Lord is king forever and ever' He has a longer-term vision than we ever could have asHe has reigned and will reign forever so do not worry, God has it all in hand.

The Bible is alive!

‘the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. *13*And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’ 
Hebrews 4:12–13.

The Word of God is ‘living and active’ - what does that mean to you, and does it effect the way you approach the Bible?

The fact is that the very words you read within the Bible are alive. They are the active words of God; The printed out words that we see on a page, or glowing from a screen, are actually alive, they have breath in them. That seems strange, doesn’t it?
The fact that these words are ‘living and active’ shows me that they are; constantly applicable, relevant, able to bring life, change, challenge and a new perspective. These words can; inspire, direct, convict, comfort and grow new life in you. Isn’t that incredibly powerful?!

Not all printed words have life, only the words of scripture do because they are the very words of God himself. God who is living and active right now has given us His living and active revelation throughout the Bible.
What a privilege it is then to be able to hold these words  in our hands, to have access to these God-breathed utterances and read them! Do you feel the privilege and weight of what you are accessing when you read God’s words?
These words can actually breathe life into your life, they can bring refreshment, comfort, restoration, conviction. In short, these words can alter your life - and you have free and easy access to this.

I think, really, the Bible should come with a warning. Something like, ‘open at your peril, are you prepared for your life to change?’!
The Bible is a living work. It contains God’s words, which we all know are powerful - I mean, they separated the light from darkness, created the world, speak life and death, bring healing, separate seas, transform minds, I could go on…. And you can find out for yourself many more incredible things God’s word achieves when you read it.
Bearing this in mind - when you are reading your Bible; are you prepared?
Are you prepared to meet Jesus?
To hear from God?
Be convicted by the Holy Spirit?

God’s words have the propensity to change you. They can pierce your heart and mind and interpret your innermost thoughts and intentions, and no matter your excuses -  your true nature will be revealed. As you read God’s words, it’s like you are laid bare before Him. Nothing hidden. All of your; bumps, bruises, wounds, pain, comfort, passions, lies, responsibilities, strengths, sins and weaknesses are laid open. Completely exposed.
Does that scare you?
In some ways it should - if you have something you want to hide, then yes, be aware that the living and active word of God will highlight it - He is good at separating light and darkness! But in the most part being exposed before God shouldn’t scare you. God is a loving, nurturing Father. He wants to heal your wounds and diseases, to remove the pain and discomfort, to revel in your passions and your strengths. He wants to be your strength in your weakness, to be with you in the difficulties and reveal truth in your life.

So, next time you take hold of this living word in your hands - take a moment to prepare yourself.
Beware when you open your Bible - there’s no hiding from God when you do, He is ready to talk to you and He’s ready to; transform, challenge, renew, energise and cleanse you - are you prepared for that?