I will always trust in God’s unfailing love … I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done … my heart is confident in you, O God … I will thank you, Lord, among all the people … You are all I want in life; you are my place of refuge. This from David fleeing Saul, or David in a cave. (Psalms 52, 57, 142 NLT)
All I have to do is look over these psalms and I get a glimpse of David’s situation: fierce enemies with teeth like spears and arrows, whose tongues cut like swords–some pretty frightening adversaries. His story reads almost like that: a story. But this was his real life.
I’ve never known life-threatening pursuit … the contrast of David the warrior and Courtney the homeschool mom. But my life has been shaken hard several times, mostly through the betrayal of people I counted on–a relative or friend–or loss of expectation.
31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:31-32 NLT.) Jesus tells Peter. He’s told us too: in this life, we’ll have troubles. Sifted like wheat. Lord, pray for me too that my faith would not fail?
In a discussion among study friends, it was mentioned that God is the only trustworthy friend. That people in our lives will let us down, because they are human and imperfect. But God won’t let us down. And I wonder why, in my dark-cave moments, do I sometimes haphazardly seek so many different opinions, scattered and scared, instead of being like David and turning to God in praise, confidence, expectant.
Lord, your word tells me over and over that I am dearly loved. Life trials to build each one of us up, and to be a comfort and strength to our brothers (and sisters). When I am tempted to run off in many directions, you encourage me to be still and trust in you. One day, I hope that listening ears will hear my confidence in you instead of worry and sadness over temporary circumstance.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 