03/31/W – Rescue from Trouble

Psalms: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help. The face of the Lord is set against those who do what is evil, to remove all memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit. One who is righteous has many adversities, but the Lord rescues him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. The Lord redeems the life of his servants, and all who take refuge in him will not be punished.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:15-22‬ ‭CSB)

A common theme throughout scripture is that God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud. David described that same truth here: God pays special attention to the righteous (those who rightly live by submitting to the word, will and ways of God), but His face is turned away and set against those who do evil. Historically, those who have set their face against the Lord and against His people have not fared well. Think of all the empires over the course of human history that have set their faces against Israel or the Church. Those empires are no more, but the people of God are still standing. When God’s righteous people cry out, He hears them and rescues them from their troubles.

Choosing to walk with the Lord is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life. Anyone that tells you that a life with Christ is trouble-free is not being honest with you. David said that one who has chosen to walk righteously will face many adversities. Jesus told His disciples that in this world, you will have trouble. But then Jesus said to take heart and be courageous, for in Him we would have peace because He had overcome the world (John 16:33). No matter the adversities or the adversaries that come your way, as you trust in the Lord and submit yourself to Him, He will rescue you from all of them. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and delivers those whose spirit has been crushed to powder. He redeems and rescues those who are His servants… who are humbly submitted to His word, will and ways – and all who take refuge in Him by faith will escape condemnation.

Prayer: Lord, I know that a life in Your footsteps is not an easy life – but it is a graced life. I thank You, that as I remain in You by faith and obedience, I have Your promise that You will remain with me. If I remain in You – because You overcame the world, I too can overcome the world. I thank You, that You see me, You hear me, and You grace me for all the adversities that are thrown my way. Let troubles have their perfect work in me – to grow me and mature me, as I remain in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.