SYNOPSIS: One of the things I love most about the faith that I’ve placed in Jesus Christ as my Savior is that no matter what, I win! When trouble hits, I win because God delivers me from all of my troubles. Even when I or a loved one goes through the tragedy of terminal illness, relational heartbreak, economic disaster, or premature death, I belong to a God who holds my hand … “never will I leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), provides my daily bread … “My God will supply all my needs” (Philippians 4:19), turns my tragedy to triumph … “In all things he works for the good” (Romans 8:28), trumps death with eternal life … “He who believes in me, even though he dies, will live again” (John 11:24-26), and one day will permanently turn my tears to joy and make everything new … “He will wipe away every tear.” (Revelation 21:4). No doubt about it, God is my rock!
Project 52—Memorize:
Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
William Gurnall wrote, “Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called ‘the rejoicing of hope.’”
Rejoicing in hope—that is what David did even as Saul was closing in on him with murderous intent, as we learn from the title of Psalm 18. As David stared death in the eye, he could sing and laugh and cry and sigh all at the same time. He could gladly declare, “I love the Lord… The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior,” (Psalm 18:1,46) because he knew Somebody greater than him and bigger than Saul was watching out for him:
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:16-19)
Rejoicing in hope—that is what you can do when the Lord is your Rock! Aren’t you glad about that? I am so thankful that my trust is in the Lord. He is indeed a Fortress and a Deliverer. Not that I have been kept from all hardship and tragedy—neither have you. We’ve had our share, and perhaps will experience more in the future. As Jesus said, the rain falls on the just and unjust alike. But we know to Whom we can run when it’s raining—our loving Shield. We know where to go in times of trouble—our great Refuge.
That is one of the things I love most about the faith that I’ve placed in Jesus Christ as my Savior. No matter what, I win! When trouble hits, I win because God delivers me from all of my troubles. (Psalm 34:17, Psalm 41:1) Even when I or a loved one goes through the tragedy of terminal illness, relational heartbreak, economic disaster, or premature death, I belong to a God who
- Holds my hand … “never will I leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)
- Provides my daily bread … “My God will supply all my needs” (Philippians 4:19)
- Turns my tragedy to triumph … “In all things he works for the good” (Romans 8:28)
- Trumps death with eternal life … “He who believes in me, even though he dies, will live again” (John 11:24-26)
- And one day will permanently turn my tears to joy and make everything new … “He will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4)
Even though life doesn’t always turn out as we have planned, we can rejoice in the Hope of our Rock. He has a track record of faithfulness and goodness going all the way back to the beginning. So determine now to trust him at all times, and when the tough times come around, don’t abandon the only one who will never abandon you. Make your plans now to run to the Rock!
“There is nothing more precious to God than our praise during affliction. Not praise for what the devil has done, but praise for the redeeming power of our loving heavenly Father. What He does not protect us from, He will perfect us through. There is indeed a special blessing for those who do not become offended in God during adversity. Furthermore, we become a special blessing to Him!” ~Robert C. Frost
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