February 12, Teaching Trials

Today’s reading: Psalms 56-60

“You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely” - Psalm 59:9-10.

If you haven’t noticed by now, Psalms is filled with cries for help and declarations of trust because David and his people were often in serious trouble. Sometimes the trouble was their own fault and other times it was unjust persecution from their enemies. Regardless of the reason, David learned to call out to God, which is in part why the trouble came — his trials taught David to trust in the Lord. It’s important that you learn to watch for, trust in and rely on the Lord just like David did as you encounter your own struggles. Later, David’s son Solomon would write the words by which many have chosen to live: “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 make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:4-6). Are you relying on your own strength or God’s help in your various trials of life?