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 more appropriate 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[1] 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.
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