As I’ve been reading through the Psalms lately, there’s been a major theme I’ve noticed.
Many start off with a less-than-ideal circumstance; enemies surround me, wicked prospering while the righteous struggle, prayers falling on deaf ears, etc., but they inevitably end with a declaration of trust in God.
I love the Psalms for their transparency. They are a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to live as a Christian desiring after God’s heart.
The Psalmists do an amazing job of expressing that peace and trust despite the circumstances that surround them.
Psalm 55 (NIV)
[…]
2 My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3 because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.
4 My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
[…]
16 As for me, I call to God,
and the LORD saves me.
17 Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
18 He rescues me unharmed
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me.
[…]
22 Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
23 […]
But as for me, I trust in you.
You’ll notice the first part of this Psalm explains the situation. It’s pretty bad. Sounds like the Psalmist is on the verge of breaking.
But it ends with a simple, yet powerful phrase. “But as for me, I trust in you.” It is that trust, I’m confident, provides the peace to live in a troubled world (John 16:33).
Never be afraid to have a realistic view of your current situation; no matter how good or bad. But also never forget to have a realistic expectation of the God we serve.
According to this Psalm, we serve a God that saves us, hears us, rescues us, sustains us and never lets us be shaken.
But as for me, I trust in you.