Let Down, Betrayed, Mistreated? Trust God To Direct Our Steps!
Distraught is defined as “deeply upset and agitated.” How many of us have ever been deeply upset to the point of being agitated? It’s like a range of emotions that hit us an overwhelm us. Psalm 55 is a great Psalm that David wrote when he was deeply troubled. How many of us are free from trouble? Is it just me, and am I the only one who can relate to this? How many of us have gone through a time in our lives when we were upset to the point of feeling overwhelmed?
Scripture:
“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 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. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.” – Psalm 55:1-5
Observation/Application:
In David’s case he has been betrayed by his companion, his “close friend”. This close friend was someone that very close to David who he deeply trusted. He probably was the last person who David thought would betray him because they even went to church together. It says in verse 14 that they “enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God.” In our case it might be someone in our bible study, in our family, or someone who goes to the same church. Ever been betrayed by someone so close to us? If so, what are we to do about it?
David gives a great example of what to do. Let’s look at verses Psalm 55:16-18:
- “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change – he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.”
David called out to God continually. Let us cast our cares on the Lord. Just like he did with Abraham, Moses, and David, God always keeps his promises. He will deliver us and bring down the wicked. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. And if God was able to do it in the past, he is able to do it today for you, for me, for all of those who love and follow him. God can remove your mountain. Nothing is impossible for him. And as we know that we can expect trouble in this life, we should not be surprised when we are deceived, burned, let down, stolen from, and had vows and promises broken. And in the middle of it all, like David we can always trust in God. Plain and simple.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will (direct your steps, and) make your paths straight.” Directed steps, and straight paths? That is exactly what I need. Don’t you think that is worth praying for today?
Image courtesy of: Indy P Benson
#Trust-in-the-Lord
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father we come to you today with open hearts and open minds, ready to be filled with your goodness this morning. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and direct our steps today and make our path straight. Let your light shine in us so bright and your power surround us and flow through us that mountains quake in your presence. Let us be a blessing to everyone who you bring across our path today. Help us to have compassion and love for others, and not be so obsessed with our current concerns and worries. Bring abundance into our lives in health, relationships, finance, peace, joy, in all good things that come from you. Use us Lord for your glory. We give you all the honor and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: 2 Samuel 19,20, Psalm 55; Matthew 28
Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:
- “But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend” – Psalm 55:13
- “Cast our cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” – Psalm 55:22
- “But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.” – Psalm 55:23
- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8
- “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20
- “Nothing is impossible with God” – Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26
- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will (direct your steps, and) make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
- “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3