His works and Words

 Psalm 19:1–14 (ESV):  

1  The heavens declare the glory of God, 

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

2  Day to day pours out speech, 

and night to night reveals knowledge. 

3  There is no speech, nor are there words, 

whose voice is not heard. 

4  Their voice goes out through all the earth, 

and their words to the end of the world. 

In them he has set a tent for the sun, 

5  which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, 

and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 

6  Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 

and its circuit to the end of them, 

and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 

7  The law of the Lord is perfect, 

reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the Lord is sure, 

making wise the simple; 

8  the precepts of the Lord are right, 

rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the Lord is pure, 

enlightening the eyes; 

9  the fear of the Lord is clean, 

enduring forever; 

the rules of the Lord are true, 

and righteous altogether. 

10  More to be desired are they than gold, 

even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey 

and drippings of the honeycomb. 

11  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 

in keeping them there is great reward. 

12  Who can discern his errors? 

Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 

13  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; 

let them not have dominion over me! 

Then I shall be blameless, 

and innocent of great transgression. 

14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be acceptable in your sight, 

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

The glory of God is spoken by all of creation. Day and night. Throughout the world. No-one has an excuse to not have heard from God - if they simply look around, walk or breathe they can experience what God has spoken! The sky, day, night and even the heat of the sun, speak of the truth, power, authority, glory, understanding and strength of God. Do you hear God's voice through these things? The daily cycle, the beginnings and ends, all tell you something of God if you take time to consider them. No matter where you are or what you are doing you cannot hide from the revelation of God through nature. God has spoken the universe into being and He speaks through it to all mankind to display who He is. Are you listening to His voice through it?

After considering what creation tells him of God, David abruptly switches to speaking of the words of God within the Bible. Both the world and the Word carry the voice of God within them and demonstrate something of who God is. Creation can establish awe and wonder as we see God as a powerful creator and sustainer, yet this is not the full picture of who God is. If you just look at the works of an artist, you may get some idea of who they are, what they like or are passionate about, but the works will not reveal the fullness of their character. In order to understand the artist, you need to listen to their words as well as admire their works. The same is true of God - You can begin to appreciate something of who God is through nature as they are His works, but how much more can you understand if you also hear His Words?! 

You need the Word of God, the Bible, to deepen and widen your understanding of God. The Bible will  enlighten you as to who God is, and has great benefits for you. In this psalm David tells how the Scriptures; revive, refresh, increase knowledge and understanding, give joy, and enlighten. So if you need any of those things today, open your Bible and see how God will speak to you. The Word of God will show you how perfect, loving, strong and reliable God is. You will also discover more about His purity, everlasting nature, righteousness and His expectations and rules for your life. As you discover more about God, you will also find out more about yourself, and you will grow when you take onboard the revelation and instruction of God. You will become more satisfied as you discover the reality of life and treasure the fact that God has really spoken to you - through thousands of years and thousands of people. His words are written for your benefit, are you taking His words onboard and allowing them to influence your life? 

Considering both God’s power and sustenance through creation, and what the Bible teaches can; inspire, create awe and wonder, comfort, give security, joy, wisdom, truth, advice, instruction, warning and reward as well as revive and enlighten you. Do you need some of that today? As whatever it is you need, God can provide it for you, are you allowing Him to? 

By considering God's works and opening His Word you will receive great treasure, it will change your life.

 9  the fear of the Lord is clean, 

enduring forever; 

the rules of the Lord are true, 

and righteous altogether. 

10  More to be desired are they than gold, 

even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey 

and drippings of the honeycomb. 

Pray, Trust, Wait

 Psalm 18 is almost exactly the same as the song recorded in Samuel 22, so this song of victory must be important. It is written by David and seems to be a reflection over a period of time as it tells of several victories he has experienced. So it appears that this song was written whilst David was contemplating his life and acknowledging the amazing challenges and breakthroughs that he had lived through. This psalm is not an account of a single victory, situation or battle, but an accumulation of victories that David acknowledges came about because he called, ‘upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised’. 

6  In my distress I called upon the Lord; 

to my God I cried for help. 

From his temple he heard my voice, 

and my cry to him reached his ears. 

Through his life, and particularly through the psalms it is well documented how David called, waited, cried out, and trusted God in his life. When trials came, when he was sick and afraid of dying, when he was confused and harassed and in times of despair he cried out to God, always acknowledging that God is in control then he waited. He waited, continuing to pray, cry out and trust God until the saw God breakthrough in ways he could not have envisaged. David uses this psalm to collate some of his experiences and to demonstrate his gratitude to God. Sometimes God rescued David, other times he radically transformed the situation, at others he protected David as he went through the troubled times, he trained David, guarded him and gave him supernatural strength and ability. All because David followed Him. David’s dedication to following God meant that he trusted God. He went through times of; loneliness, despair, confusion, fear, steadfastness and hope just like the rest of us do. Yet even when he found life impossible, was harassed and hounded, he still relied and trusted in God. His faith never wavered. David’s situation changed many times, and the trials came in different forms, and each time David poured out his heart and asked God to intervene. Then he waited for God to respond. David saw these victories and can testify to God’s almighty power and goodness because he cried, prayed, trusted and waited. Do you have stories like that? 

He sent from on high, he took me; 

he drew me out of many waters. 

17  He rescued me from my strong enemy 

and from those who hated me, 

for they were too mighty for me. 

18  They confronted me in the day of my calamity, 

but the Lord was my support. 

19  He brought me out into a broad place; 

he rescued me, because he delighted in me.”

David prayed, poured out his heart, waited, implored and gave thanks consistently throughout his life. He had a lot of trouble, some self-inflicted, but most not, and he always turned to God. He always acknowledged and sought God no matter what the situation was because he knew that God can always help. No matter how impossible, scary or how huge the circumstance, David knew that there was something God could do about it. So he asked Him to intervene. Then he waited. David would tell God what was going on, how he felt, what he needed, and then he would trust God to work it out because he understood that God cares about His people and that He works for the good of those that love Him. Sure, David got frustrated and desperate, and probably fed up of waiting, but he did wait. When you are fearful, overwhelmed and distressed do you call out to God and await his deliverance? Or do you call to God, get impatient and try to fix things yourself? If you want to know God as your rock, fortress and deliverer like David did, you need to leave the situation in His hands and not take it back! You can have a testimony like David’s, but do you have the faith in God required and the patience to wait? 

46  The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, 

and exalted be the God of my salvation— 

47  the God who gave me vengeance 

and subdued peoples under me, 

48  who rescued me from my enemies; 

yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; 

you delivered me from the man of violence. 

Are you awaiting the reward of God, or are you trying to build your own? Whatever you can do in any situation cannot compare to the breakthrough and extravagance of God, but you need to be patient and wait for it. If you want some of the experiences of favour and victory that you read about, then you need to pray and wait. You need to be prepared to be uncomfortable. Trusting God as David did is scary. It means that you are not trying to do life your way or try to fix things by your own hands, but praying and waiting in desperate hope. All the while acknowledging that God loves you and will bring rescue, support and freedom, it just is unlikely to happen in your time frame or the way you want or expect it to.  Sometimes you cannot do much to change the situation you are in, you can try, but it ends up causing you more stress and discomfort in the long run. What you can do is keep, ‘the ways of the Lord’. That is your responsibility. This shows that you really are a child of God and are serious about living life with Him. Then, in time, when God’s glorious victory has come, you can also say, ‘the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness’! What a testimony that would be!

21  For I have kept the ways of the Lord, 

and have not wickedly departed from my God. 

22  For all his rules were before me, 

and his statutes I did not put away from me. 

23  I was blameless before him, 

and I kept myself from my guilt. 

24  So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, 

according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 

David cried and called out to God many times in his life, and look at the life he had! There were many ups and downs, but what is David known for? Being a mighty king? A warrior? Brave? descendent of Jesus? A man after God’s heart? A worshipper? There are many admirable qualities we see in David, and they are all because he devoted his life, not to; a country, job role, family or material goods, but because he dedicated his life to following God no matter what. Will that be your testimony? 

1  I love you, O Lord, my strength. 

2  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

3  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, 

and I am saved from my enemies. 

the prayer of the innocent

 Psalm 17:1–15 (ESV): 

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! 

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 

2  From your presence let my vindication come! 

Let your eyes behold the right! 

3  You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, 

you have tested me, and you will find nothing; 

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 

4  With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips 

I have avoided the ways of the violent. 

5  My steps have held fast to your paths; 

my feet have not slipped. 

6  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 

incline your ear to me; hear my words. 

7  Wondrously show your steadfast love, 

O Saviour of those who seek refuge 

from their adversaries at your right hand. 

8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; 

hide me in the shadow of your wings, 

9  from the wicked who do me violence, 

my deadly enemies who surround me. 

10  They close their hearts to pity; 

with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 

11  They have now surrounded our steps; 

they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 

12  He is like a lion eager to tear, 

as a young lion lurking in ambush. 

13  Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! 

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 

14  from men by your hand, O Lord, 

from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 

You fill their womb with treasure; 

they are satisfied with children, 

and they leave their abundance to their infants. 

15  As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 

David proclaims innocence - he does his best to honour God not just in the way he speaks to Him, but through how he lives his life. David considers his words and actions as he goes about his ordinary day, thinking about how he speaks to and treats others, the decisions he makes and how that reflects the faith he has. He considers God as he goes about his ordinary, day-to-day business, do you? David also takes time to evaluate his responses, he is great at self-reflection being honest about his mistakes and his innocence in situations. It is difficult to be so honest even with ourselves at times, yet David seems to have been good at evaluating his actions and motives and considering how they demonstrate his love for God. It is from this position of openness and self-reflection that David has incredible conversations and relationship with God. 

David is conscious of God’s presence always and determines to do his best to keep in line with God’s will. He knows that he can approach God as one who is living in God’s favour. Not because he was perfect, but because he was open and honest with God. He has built a relationship of trust with Him and enjoys the relationship he has with God, so he is mindful of it everyday and everywhere. This has therefore impacted how David lives his life. He is different to those, 'lurking' trying to capture and hurt him, and those who are in live with Earthly treasures. Instead of being bound up with life in this world, David has decided to live his life with God, therefore this life and it's stuff is not as attractive for David, but a relationship with God is to be valued, sought and lived for. Therefore he does his best to live right for God. Not for himself or others, but because he knows being in right relationship with God is the best position to be. No matter what else comes his way; whether riches, poverty, illness, friends or foes, David knows that if he lives following God's path he can seek God for wisdom, guidance and help. Are you living right before God? Can you expect God to assist you because you are doing your best to live the way He wants you to live?

Before you ask God for anything, examine your heart, your motives and your actions. Then, once you have assessed your right to ask God, you will know whether you need to come to him in repentance or in supplication. If you want and expect God to show up, to transform situations in your life, you need to fairly assess yourself. As David did, consider if you are living in innocence before God and man, have you guarded your words and your actions? If there is any wrong in you, ask God to point it out. David was clearly in distress as he wrote this psalm, but he knew he could petition God as he was convinced and assured of his innocence, are you? Will you listen when God visits you in the night, tries your heart and tests you? 

If you want to know God's powerful love and breakthrough in your life, you need to make sure that you are living conscious of His presence in every area of your life. That you are aligning your life with His will, not your own or anyone elses. Determine to live in innocence before God then, when you need His help you can have confidence that God will act as you say along with David, 'My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God'.

A life worth living

 A life focussed intently on God is worth living. It is provided for, always has reason for gladness, it is safe internally and eternally, has a hope and a future - are you leading a life like that? 

Psalm 16:1–11 (ESV): 

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

2  I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; 

I have no good apart from you.” 

3  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, 

in whom is all my delight. 

4  The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; 

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out 

or take their names on my lips. 

5  The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; 

you hold my lot. 

6  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 

7  I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; 

in the night also my heart instructs me. 

8  I have set the Lord always before me; 

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; 

my flesh also dwells secure. 

10  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, 

or let your holy one see corruption. 

11  You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Here David tells us of his life outworked as a man of faith. He first acknowledges that God is the boss of his life (v2) - there is no other person in control or reigning him and David relies on God for his; wellbeing, instruction, security and future. He can do this as he surrounds himself with the knowledge and instruction of God (v5,7,8). The practice of always being aware that God is present by reading God's word, spending time with Him and conversing with Him, reminds David who God is and what He is about, so his faith, trust and hope grows. This is what leads David to know security in this life and the next, and shows him a life worth living. 

In order to maintain the internal peace and security that he has, David is considered in what he does and who he does things with. He says, "I have set the Lord always before me" he lives purposefully setting his mind to acknowledge God in his everyday life. Living like this changes David's perspective on life, leisure, work, and people. It helps him to process events and his own responses as he is constantly aware of God's presence. This means David can easily evaluate himself, his life and what he is living for which impacts the way he responds. 

Do you acknowledge that God is there in every moment of your life, and allow that fact to assist you in evaluating your life, relationships and responses?

As David is making sure that he holds onto the reality that God is present, he is determined to keep away from ungodly influence and keeps apart from those who are living a life following other (ungodly) things (v4). That's a hard thing to do when you look around and feel surrounded by people who live without God. It seems to me that David's focus is to live a God-filled life and so he does not what ungodly things or people to distract him. Therefore, although there are plenty of people not following God around him, he does not allow these people to have influence in his life. He is aware of the actions and life choices of those people and so does not make an especial effort to get to know them, he doesn't seek to even know their names! David knows these people could be bad news for him, they could distract him and lead him away from God, into a life not worth living, so he is determined to keep away from them. Have you had to make similar choices? Do you consider whom you allow to influence your life? If you wish to live a life worth living, then you need to know who and what to keep away from. There are different types of people that you can build relationships with. Some are, ‘saints…excellent ones’ who give joy, encouragement and good guidance - they are good for your soul. Others are consumed by ‘sorrows’ and sin. So take time to consider who you are developing relationships with and why. Are those you spend time with saints, or will they lead you to sorrow? 

The next step in living a life worth living is acknowledging to God that, 'You hold my lot’. I love this simple little phrase of David's. It is a powerful admission. David tells in these few words that all that he has, he has not earned or deserved, God has given it all and He is still the Master of it all. The influence, power, money, home and family David have are all in God’s hands, not his own. David can and does enjoy and appreciate these things, but he accepts that they are from God and there is nothing he has done to gain or deserve them. There is a powerful humility in knowing that God has all of your life in His hands. God holds it. Sometimes He knows it is time for some of the things to be let go of, and sometimes more is taken on - you can trust God with both. Do you accept that God holds your ‘lot’? That it is under God’s guidance and control, are you comfortable with that? A life worth living, after all it seems, is not really your own!

In summary then, in this psalm, David shows us that a life worth living is; walking with God, responsible, humble, not in charge, doesn't allow sin or sorrows to overcome it and is purpose-filled and pleasant, Is your life a life worth living?

Are you the kind of person God wants to spend time with?

Psalm 15:1–5 (ESV):  

1  O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? 

Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 

2  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right 

and speaks truth in his heart; 

3  who does not slander with his tongue 

and does no evil to his neighbour, 

nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 

4  in whose eyes a vile person is despised, 

but who honours those who fear the Lord; 

who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 

5  who does not put out his money at interest 

and does not take a bribe against the innocent. 

He who does these things shall never be moved. 

This psalm shows us the type of person God wishes to spend time with. There are specific characteristics that God is looking for in those he invites into His tent. These attributes demonstrate the character and integrity of a person and the morals that they live by. 

So, who does God want being involved in His life - what kind of person does He invite into His town and even His tent?

From this psalm we can see that God values and desires to have time with those who;

• Do the right thing. Both openly and in secret. (V2)
• Are honest. Even about how they are really feeling. They say what they mean and mean what they say (v2)
• Do not speak badly of others - no gossip, accusing, or going along with what everyone else says (even if you think it is true) (v3)
• Do not cause harm to others, or do/say things that will only benefit themselves but not anyone else. (v3)
• Respects and honours his friends even when he disagrees with them and their actions. Someone who does not express criticism, disapproval or disappointment in those they care about with other people. (v3)
• Is mindful of whom they admire. (v4) Someone who does not extol or promote a person who does not follow God. Who in fact hates the evil within them, no matter what they have achieved. Yet always speaks well of and honours those who follow God. Even when they go awry or do not seem impressive. (v4)
• Admit it when they are in pain - whether that's emotional, mental or physical, and still keep following God. They remember who they are and who they belong to and so do not allow disappointment or discomfort change their behaviour. These people are genuine. No matter what life throws at them they keep going in faith with no pretence. (v4)
• Do not make a profit out of people less fortunate than themselves.
• Accepts no bribery.

Are you this kind of person? Do you have the characteristics of someone God wants to spend time with?

Overall, it seems that God is looking for genuine people. Not perfect ones. This psalm, interestingly, does not say anything about being free from sin, it is all about how you treat others and how honest you are with them (and yourself). Although, a perfect God cannot tolerate sin and anyone who would want this invite into God's presence would be aware and conscious of that. That is why Jesus lived and died - to mend the brokenness and clean the sin that gets in the way of us having a relationship with God. This psalm is written for those who accept God's forgiveness and want to get closer to God. The purpose then of this psalm is to show those who wish to be more intimate with God what He is looking for. 

God is looking for; genuine, honest, open, kind people of integrity. When He looks at you, what will he find? Are you living as someone God wants to spend time with? 

Are you good?

Today as we look at the next psalm, it is important to note that there is another psalm, 53, that is almost identical. So the message of this psalm is doubly important as the Bible has the same message in the same book twice! 

1  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; 

there is none who does good. 

Who can look at the world and all that is in it and not believe there is a God? Or look at the way all things work together, from the organs of the smallest beast to the structure of the most magnificent tree and not recognise that there must be a master creator, designer and sustainer of all things? Only a fool, says the psalmist, can see these things and not consider that there must be a God. The result of this foolish conclusion is living a life without God. As a person rejects God and refuses to even consider the reality of Him, they move away from the source of goodness and love (which is God) and so cannot do what is correct, right, loving, honest or honourable. This leads to the degradation and contortion of character, mindset and desires and develops into; debasement, abuse, degradation, manipulation, and revolting activities. People become corrupt when they turn away from God and do whatever they wish. They live as if they are the master and creator, designer and sustainer of their own existence which leads to distress and despair in the lives of many. It is not good. 

2  The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, 

to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 

3  They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; 

there is none who does good, not even one. 

As God beholds what happens on Earth, it does not take Him long to see evil. To see those who have gone away from Him and lead lives of corrupt abomination. In fact, it is difficult for Him to find people that are doing right and are looking for Him. When God looks around He concludes, ‘all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.’ Mankind is in a desperate state. When God looks, He sees no righteous or good people around. 

This may be hard to consider and you may think that you know some 'good' people, yet is any human truly good? Are anyone’s motives pure, innocent, honest? If you could look from God’s perspective, what would you see? You would probably conclude, as He does that every person on Earth has failed to do good but have done some terrible things. Even those that believe and trust in God go awry. They are not truly good either plus they are not whole-heartedly seeking God - they get worn out, selfish and distracted too. So, as God looks upon the Earth we should not be surprised that no-one is good. His standard of goodness is far above ours! All of mankind has failed. We have all gone our own way - you have, I have, others have, so we have all failed to be good and we have all failed to live God-filled lives. 

Therefore as we cannot achieve the level of goodness or godliness God is looking for, how can any of us understand Him or His designs and purposes? Yet, as God looks down upon His world He wishes to find those that are looking for Him -  that is what He is searching for. He is not looking for corruption, debasement and sin, trying to catch people out - God wants to find people who are good and who seeking Him, and He keeps searching. What kind of person will He find when He looks at you?

4  Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers 

who eat up my people as they eat bread 

and do not call upon the Lord? 

5  There they are in great terror, 

for God is with the generation of the righteous. 

Even as God looks on and sees the corruption, lack of people following Him and absence of good in the world, He has pity. How can people eat and drink the very things God has made and not recognise Him? God clearly feels sad and concerned about the way people are living - not for His own sake, but for theirs. Instead of appreciating the provision and life they have, the opportunities and delights, people take everyday blessings for granted and end up not just consuming food to live, but end up consuming the lives of others in order to have more themselves. People can think this is success, profit, achievement. Yet cannot see that depravity, distress and the debasement of life is never good or fulfilling. So the spiral into sin continues as mankind do not learn or seek to learn that life can be different. Instead they continue in selfish ignorance seeking after more at the expense of others. They are in great danger. For there is a God that looks upon the Earth. He sees the abuse of His world and His people and it grieves and angers Him. Those who are oblivious and unconcerned about His presence and power are living in great peril. For the Almighty God sees and will act. One day, anyone that has been living in ignorance or disobedience to God will feel the terror of their decisions. Will that be you?

6  You would shame the plans of the poor, 

but the Lord is his refuge. 

7  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! 

When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, 

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. 

Those that are overlooked or oppressed will be upheld by God Himself. Even if others shame them, treat them with derision and abuse them, God looks out for them. He will rescue them and be their strength - The Lord is on their side. If that is you - rejoice! If you know that you have treated others in such a manner - tremble! For God will, ‘restore the fortunes of His people’ - one day we will all get what we deserve. Are you living to receive the terror or salvation of God?

Even though God has looked down and seen the awful state of humanity and the evil and lack of good in each person, He still cares about His creation. He still loves and wants the best for those He has made this is why there is the hope of salvation. When this psalm was written, there was the hope and looking forward to a time when people could be truly restored, forgiven and made good. Now those things are attainable. Salvation has come from Zion (v7)! Through Jesus, the son of God, salvation has arrived. No longer do you have to worry yourself about being good enough because Jesus was - he lived the perfect life of goodness that no-one else could achieve. He did that, then he traded that life for a gruesome death in order to put to death all your ungodliness, corruption and vileness. Now you can be free from all sin and wickedness and considered by God as good. This happens when you trust and believe in Jesus and all that he did, and accept that he sacrificed his life as the pure and final atonement for sin. Then, like Jesus, you can live a new life. One where the old has been put to death. You can be forgiven, restored and made good because Jesus goodness can become your goodness. If you decide to live a life seeking God and trusting in Jesus for freedom from sin, then when God looks upon the Earth he will see you and see you as good. As, when he looks at you he no longer will see all the bad stuff, he will just see how you represent His perfect son! Are you trusting in Jesus for your salvation - for freedom from the spiral of sin and the desire to be good?

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Suffering and faith

 Ever felt abandoned by everyone including God? Ever wondered what God is up to when you’re in danger and despair? Sometimes you can feel alone and abandoned when you feel in deepest need of God. It is then you can wonder how you got to this point and why God doesn’t seem to be listening or intervening. Why would God seem to be so distant at such a time? Why doesn’t He seem to show up or speak up? David asks the same questions in Psalm 13, I think we all do when we are in crisis, yet do you get the answers that you crave? Most often probably not, just like David. Sometimes you will not receive a response for the heartfelt cries of your innermost being, how do you handle that? 

Psalm 13:1–6 (ESV): 

1  How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? 

How long will you hide your face from me? 

2  How long must I take counsel in my soul 

and have sorrow in my heart all the day? 

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 

3  Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; 

light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 

4  lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” 

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 

5  But I have trusted in your steadfast love; 

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 

6  I will sing to the Lord, 

because he has dealt bountifully with me. 

Can you hear David’s desperation? He’s feeling; alone, long-suffering, abandoned, hidden, sorrowful, diminished, shaken. David feels wretched and like he has been abandoned by God, but he does not stop trusting in Him. David admits that this season he is going through is lonely and difficult but he does not give up hope and he does not give up believing in God, even if God is being quiet. David does let God know how he feels though - this psalm is evidence of that. When you are going through emotions like these when you are desperate, what do you do? Do you admit how you're really doing - to yourself, others and God? Do you let God know exactly how you feel - you're allowed to, you're even allowed to ask Him questions even if you get no answers. Times like these are not easy to walk through, but they will end and where will you be then? Will you have deepened your trust and relationship with God and others or would you have hidden or run away to try to escape the inner turmoil? 

You get to choose how you deal with the excess of emotions, hardship and pain. It can be incredibly hard and confusing but you are responsible for how you respond. Even when God seems distant - you are responsible for how you handle that. David was a great man known by God as, 'a man after my own heart' (1 Samuel 13:14) and he went through times of great difficulty but he recognised that when he felt like this he was responsible for taking, ‘counsel in my soul’. At these times you too need to take counsel in your soul. God is not going to give you all the answers or fulfil all your wishes like a magical genie, no matter how frustrating that may be, so it is up to you to ‘counsel’ yourself. This means you need to guide and direct your behaviour and responses by remembering; what is true, who God is and what God has said before. You will need to give yourself a good talking to. Bring to mind what you know and have experienced of God, look to the Bible and see how others such as David, Job, Jesus and Moses have handled such times. Many people have experienced hardship and heartache so you have good examples to follow but you need to set your mind on what you're following. This is how you can counsel yourself - recalling what you know to be true, remembering who God really is and getting support and relief from understanding that others have experienced the same sense of abandonment and despair that you feel. It is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact it could be an opportunity for growth. 

These experiences and emotions test your faith and how you handle these times shows a lot about the depth of faith you have. You can choose whether, through this trial, your faith is going to withstand or fail. It all depends on your acceptance of and trust in God. When life gets difficult, it's ok to wobble, question, cry aloud, feel frustrated and in despair. David talks to God and lets Him know exactly how he is doing - do you? David recalls his previous experiences, knowledge and understanding of God and sees how God has moved before. He also recalls the eternal truth that God has given him salvation. This truth will never change no matter what you go through. If there is nothing else going well in life - the truth will always remain that God has made a way for you and He to be friends, nothing can diminish or take that away from you. Do you remind yourself of such things? 

Are you building a faith that endures? The Israelites had to go for hundreds of years without hearing from God. They had periods of success and failure in that time, and there was a remnant of people that kept trusting and believing in God through that time. Are you going to be part of the remnant that holds on, that trusts and believes, that hopes through the silence? 

David kept going. He counselled himself through such difficulties knowing that God has come through for him before. He knew that God has preserved his life, elevated his position, strengthened and sustained him before, and so he trusted God to do the same now. David admitted that some of his experiences were horrible, lonely and depressing so he talked to God about it and trusted, 'in your steadfast love'. Do you know that you can always trust in God's steadfast love too? David was patient and waited. He suffered well. He did not do so silently, but he suffered well - this is how he became the man after God's heart that he is renowned for. What does how you suffer show about you and the faith you have?