“They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, and my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” (Psalm 59:14-17)

The Bible mentions that David wrote this Psalm when King Saul had sent men to watch David’s house, in order to find an opportune time to kill him. If you remember, Saul was very jealous of David, and wanted to get rid of someone who he saw as a threat to his authority and throne.

It’s encouraging to see the contrast found in the verses above. While David recognizes that his enemies are prowling about, snarling like dogs as they search him out for murder, he quickly turns it into an opportunity to praise God, despite the circumstances.

When we go through trials and suffering in our lives, do we focus on our enemies and the obstacles, rather than putting our focus on the One who can deliver us from them all?

Let’s take a page from the psalmist’s book, and praise God even through the storms. Like David, it’s perfectly fine to recognize what we’re up against in this life, but don’t let your mind and heart get stuck there. Recognize your enemy, pray to God for deliverance, and then PRAISE the Lord knowing full well that He is in control and that we can rely on Him fully for everything we need to carry us through!

The power and promise of our victory is in Christ, and lies no where else. Lift up your prayers and petitions to the Lord, “for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” (1 Pet. 3:12)

Just as David cries out to God to come to his rescue, the Lord also hears us and is waiting for us to walk in faith and dependence on Him in our own situation. “You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” (v17)

Let that be our praise and prayer today, Amen!

[From October 16, 2018]