Psalm 54

7 October 2013

SOAP Psalm 54

S: v. 7: “For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies”

O: David had far more to fear than I ever have. Yes, I’ve dealt with backbiting and backtalk, resentment and hatred, misunderstandings and anxiety. But I’ve never been pursued for my life. In the moments when he’s been thrown to the wolves, David could have chosen a moment for a pity party. He could have said, oh woe is me! But instead he chose to make a plea to God and then he forced himself to remember that God is his source and his helper. “I will sacrifice a voluntary offering” – this tells me that in the midst of one of his greatest perils, he still made a conscious effort to thank God for bringing him this far. His attitude was everything in this

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A: My personal struggles seem so silly in comparison. Everyone has their own set of challenges and disappointments. There will always be something that feels too big to handle. There will always be something that feels like it will break you into a thousand pieces. But what attitude will I choose to have? And it isn’t about ‘what mask will I choose to wear when I’m in front of others.’ It’s far too easy to put on a happy face or to act like there is nothing wrong. It’s easier still to walk around complaining about the struggles that I am facing. It’s harder to say, today is tough, but my God is bigger than this problem I face. It’s harder to take things one day at a time and make that daily offering of praise to God because he’s brought you another day further into the journey of your life. It’s harder to get up every morning and beg God to hear your cries, and then somehow find the strength to walk in peace that only He can provide. It’s hard to trust God when it feels like life itself is out to get you. But God is my helper and he keeps me alive. He keeps me going. I know that no matter what my God loves me. And that is enough. When I don’t know where money to pay the bills will come from, my God loves me enough to provide. When my job is crazy and I don’t know how much longer I can keep it together, God loves me enough to provide a friend to talk to and eat lunch with. When I’m stressed about my marriage, God loves me enough to remind me just how awesome my husband is and how blessed I am for the friendship and understanding we share. When my anxiety is coming back and getting stronger, God loves me enough to speak words of wisdom to me to remind me to put on my spiritual armor too.

P: God, remind me daily that you are my rock. Remind me that you have already rescued me from the struggles I face, and given me victory. It is way too easy for me to get used to your provision. I don’t want to get to that place of complacency where I forget the depths of your love. Remind me of the journey we’ve taken together. Rekindle my passion for seeking your face. God, rescue me from today. It will be a struggle. But I know that you can bring me through. Give me hope in tomorrow. Hope deferred will wear down my soul, but I am choosing today to stand in faith that you will be my strength and provision and source of hope. Let me walk in peace. God, I really do love you. I pray that today I will live a life that shows it.