“O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;
you have been angry; oh, restore us.
You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open;
repair its breaches, for it totters.
You have made your people see hard things…
You have set up a banner for those who fear you,
that they may flee to it from the bow.
That your beloved ones may be delivered,
give salvation by your right hand and answer us!..
Oh, grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.”
“Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!”
“For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken…
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us…
Power belongs to God,
and to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love”
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water…
I will bless you as long as I live…
You have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 60:1-5,11-12; 61:1-4; 62:1-2,5-8,10-12; 63:1,4,7-8
David the psalmist knew many a hard thing in his difficult but illustrious life. He records often and honestly his struggles against the backdrop of the Lord’s unfailing kindness. Both hurts and Help harmonize in rhythmic song.
War-torn countries, broken cities, violence, tenuous employment, stressful relationships, sleepless nights. In a broken world, God’s people see hard things, without which we fail to seek, see, and shelter under our Rock and Deliverer. God’s grace and glory against darkness shine, His banner of refuge, protection, salvation, and help is our strong hope in every obstacle and heartache.
Whatever hard things make our practical or emotional stability precarious, God’s rock is higher, immovable, and safe. Have we fallen in sin or sorrow? His arms are able to lift and save. Are we riddled with fear, angst, or shame? He is our peace. Do we face a vitriolic, cruel enemy? The Lord is Refuge and Victor. Encountering unrest, cruelty, or threatened destruction, we can valiantly trust His shield and wings about us. (Numbers 11:23; Psalm 3:3; Isaiah 59:1)
Distinguishing between the natural declination of man and the sovereignty and absolute perfection of God adjusts our attitude to hard things. Where are we barraged or burdened? What new glimpses of God’s good things are being revealed through those very trials?
Good Father, help me see in hard things Your goodness and love, and praise You.
As the rain and snow 