Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. (Ps. 140:4)
Expanded Passage: Psalm 140:4-8
I was nine years old when my dad allowed me to sit in the tree stand by myself while hunting. I was so excited and thought I was the most independent and brave hunter—until nighttime came. When the sun began to set, and the darkness came in, fear overtook me. I was sitting in the stand trembling, but then I heard footsteps, and I cried out “Dad, is that you?” and he replied, “Yes, I’m here.” At that moment, all fear left. The darkness was still there, but I knew I was protected because my father was there.
David was facing great sorrow and trouble. It was as if the sun was setting and the darkness was overtaking him. He was facing a great enemy, a powerful evil. However, instead of allowing this evil to overtake him, instead of sitting there trembling, he turned to God. He cried out to his heavenly Father for help. David, in his time of need, put all his trust in the Lord God almighty. The evil was still there, but David was trusting in God because he knew God is greater than any enemy we face.
When the darkness arrives, where do you put your trust? Who do you turn to in times of trouble? Trust in the Lord. He is always there, even in the darkest of times.
Trust in the Lord. He is always there.
Andrew Christman, a proud veteran of the US Army, serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, SC. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
