Triumph Over Trials

Once, while I was reading a newspaper, my young son was trying to get my attention. He had an urgent need for me to recognize his presence and respond to his request. But, I was absorbed in the news.

“Dad,” he said, “I’m talking to you!”

“Yes, son, I’m listening,” I replied.

“I know you are listening, Dad, but can you hear me?” It was an embarrassing question. There is an obvious difference between listening and hearing. It is easy to listen without recognizing the presence of the person trying to get our attention. When we listen and hear someone, the message goes to our mind and then our heart and we can sense their feelings and do something about their needs.

David said, “Turn and answer me, O Lord, my God!” He feared that God had abandoned him, turned His face in the opposite direction, was abandoned and on his own. He was so discouraged that he felt the light of God had left his eyes, and he would die. But he realized that was a temporary, fleeting feeling, and he refused to give up. Finally, he recalled God’s presence and protection in the past and knew that God had not left him.

So, after a time of loneliness, he was able to declare, “I trust in your unfailing love!” and turned his worry into worship.

Notice what he said: “I will rejoice” and “I will sing” – two central themes of true worship. David did not wait for his problems to pass. In the middle of his difficulties, he chose not to worry and began to worship. Why? “Because He has been so good to me!”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to form our faith on the facts in Your Word, not our fleeting feelings. When problems come, may we know You are with us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 

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