Are you surrounded by troubles?

Psalm 138:7 (NLT)

Though I am surrounded by troubles, You will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out Your hand, and the power of Your right hand saves me. 

Are you surrounded by troubles (Hebrew “tsarah” means trouble, distress, or adversity) as you read these words?  Perhaps a less silly question would be, “is there anyone out there who does not feel surrounded by troubles?”  Everyone experiences troubles (note the intentional plural use of this word) almost everyday of their adult lives.  Jesus said that each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

The sources of trouble in our everyday life are endless, but the most common troubles seem to be related to one of the following situations---financial, work, family, health, legal, relationships, and loss.  Troubles are manifested through emotions of fear, anxiety, depression, illness, shame, and worthlessness.

David wrote this verse.  He says that he is surrounded by troubles that we know to be true from what the Bible writes about him in I and II Samuel.  He had all kinds of enemies and adversities in his life, yet he writes that the Lord will protect him from the anger of those enemies who want to kill him.  The use of the phrase “Your right hand” is used in one of my favorite verses, Isaiah 41:10 that also speaks of God’s protection against whatever or whoever brings fear to your life.  God’s right hand is also described in Exodus 15:6 and Psalms 89:13, 98:1, and 118:15-16.

Try to capture the imagery of almighty God reaching out His right hand to save you.  David emphasizes that God will protect him and it is the power of God’s right hand that will save him.  Believe that this verse applies to you as well.  Indeed, it is true what J. Hudson Taylor once said, “Difficulties provide a platform on which the Lord can display His power”. 

Here is an appropriate poem by Annie Johnson Flint that supplements the truth of Psalm 138:7.  Read it, meditate on it, pray from it, and see the ways that the Lord will fulfill His promise to help, protect, and save you from your troubles.  Also read Psalm 34:15-18 emphasizing that the Lord delivers the “righteous” (those who trust in the Lord) out of all their troubles.  Amen.

            One day at a time with its failures and fears

            With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears

            With its portion of pain and its burdens of care;

            One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

            One day at a time—but the day is so long,

            And the heart is not brave and the soul is not strong.

            O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;

            Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

            Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet,

            “Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;

            I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;

            I will not forsake thee; I never will leave.

            Nor yesterdays load we are called on to bear,

            Nor the morrow’s uncertain and shadowy care;

            Why should we look forward or back with dismay?

            Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.