THE LORD AND THE WEEK AHEAD…

Uncertainty is the most certain thing to be expected, from life. When there is uncertainty, there is bound to be anxiety. Where there is anxiety, there surely will be stress. All this combined, will make one fear about, what might happen in the days to come. Under such circumstances, where uncertainty, anxiety and stress induced fear, will soon turn the “WEEK” ahead, into “WEAK” ahead. We are afraid and worried, how the week ahead, would turn out to be. Therefore, we become weak in our hearts and minds, while going ahead in the week.

Thankfully, we don’t need to be worried or afraid about life. What? Is it possible? Yes, it is. There may be unpleasant times. There may be tough times. Struggles and storms may hit us. Gusty winds may disrupt everything we have carefully built. Welcome to life – it is normal, and such situations are to be expected. Now, what do we do about them? How should we face them?

The Bible, which is the Word of God, has answer to such a situation. David, the shepherd boy, who turned up to be a great king, has some encouraging, uplifting and inspirational words for us, in Psalm 34. It would be good to read the entire Psalm, which David wrote at a very critical juncture of his life. Yet, for our meditation this morning, we will look at just, verse four.
– “4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

Psalm 34:4, though a very small verse, with just fifteen words, has some very meaningful and profound words of inspiration for all, who are going through struggles and storms. David tells us three very significant things for our enlightenment.

1- WHAT DID DAVID DO, WHEN HE WAS IN TROUBLE? – “I sought the LORD”
– “Seeking the LORD implies a deliberate and earnest pursuit of God’s presence and guidance…seeking God often involved prayer, worship, and adherence to the Law. This act of seeking is not passive but requires intentionality and faith.” – Berean Study Bible

2- WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM GOD, WHEN WE SEEK HIM EARNESTLY? – “He [God] heard me.”
– “The assurance that God answers those who seek Him is a central tenet of faith…response from God indicates His attentiveness and willingness to engage with His people…[It] suggests a personal and direct interaction with God, reinforcing the belief in a living and responsive deity.” – Berean Study Bible

3- HOW DID GOD HELP DAVID, IN ALL HIS STRUGGLES AND TROUBLES? – “[God] delivered me from all my fears.”
– “Deliverance from fear is a powerful testament to God’s protective and redemptive nature…David faced numerous threats, including persecution by King Saul and battles with surrounding nations. The deliverance mentioned here can be seen as both physical and spiritual, providing safety and peace of mind.” – Berean Study Bible

Paul has similar words of wisdom and encouragement for us, when passing through all our struggles and storms.
– “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

May we take inspiration and strength from the experience of David. May we, just as David and Paul say, seek refuge in our God, and wait upon Him to help us, and guide us, through all that is troubling and testing us. May we seek the LORD will all our heart, ever so eagerly and sincerely. Even so, the LORD help us.