Our Rock And Fortress In Times Of Trouble

Psalm 31

When there is trouble in our life and in the world around us, where do we go?  Right now, and for the past several days, there has been a lot of unrest across my country, descending into rioting and vandalism.  It has come right into my own neighborhood.  Other places across the world have known similar unrest, danger, and even war.  There are also serious personal struggles that people go through, and problems that we face with other people.  Where can we go to find peace and rest from all of this?  King David, the author of our psalm today, faced many days of turmoil and danger throughout his life.  Where did he turn?  Where did he find a refuge?  Let’s look into the Scripture.

David’s life was one filled with struggles and turmoil, and with very few days of peace or rest.  He had to flee the frequent murderous attacks for many years from King Saul.  Then after the Lord made him king, there were battles with the descendants of the former King Saul, an attempt by his son Absalom to take the throne, and numerous wars with surrounding nations.  King David had many enemies, and knew what it was like to face dangerous attacks.  When we face times of trouble, and fear for our safety, we have the choice of descending into panic or putting our trust in the Lord.  We can flee to Him for help and safety (vs. 1-3).

In the wilderness areas of the Middle East, there are many large rocks, often many times bigger than a man.  David was quite familiar with that landscape, and he knew that one could find safety hiding behind or in the crevices of such huge rocks.  Yet even more so, he knew that the Lord God is an even safer Rock to flee to.  He knew God to be an even safer Fortress than the fortresses he had built as king.  David prayed to God to deliver him from his troubles.  He made his request based on what he knew of God’s Name and righteous, loving character.  Jesus is our safe Rock and Fortress.  We need to turn to Him during the dangerous and scary times we face, too.

David committed his life and spirit to the Lord God, as we see in verse 5.  Jesus quoted this verse while He hung upon the Cross (Luke 23:46).  David had complete trust in God.  When Jesus said these words on the Cross, He showed absolute dependence in the Father.  Stephen also repeated these words when he was stoned (Acts 7:59).  Both knew they were passing from God’s earthly care to God’s eternal care.  We, too, need to commit ourselves, our family, and all we have completely to Him.

The enemies we face may seem to have the upper hand (vs. 9-13).  However, ultimately they are helpless and hopeless.  God’s children will be victorious in the end.  We can have courage, knowing God will preserve us (vs. 23).  All of life’s circumstances are under God’s control.  Knowing He loves and cares for us should strengthen our faith, regardless of what we are going through.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior and become His children, we are never victims of our circumstances.  Our lives are in the Lord’s hands, not in anyone else’s (vs. 15).  That includes those we fear, those who attack us and put us in danger.

We are at this specific point in life, with all of its trials, by God’s appointment.  We can rest in that knowledge.  He will keep us in His love.  God can turn the trial we are going through into a blessing if we learn the lessons He wishes to teach us.  In God’s good time, He will bring us out of that trial again.  God has plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), plans for our good, and not for evil.  This truth can be our lifeline for the future.  We can have hope from God.  He gave His Son to die on the Cross for us.

Just as David did, when we are faced with trouble or danger, we need to remember God’s faithfulness and power.  David knew God’s strength was sufficient, and His promises of protection, peace and help is true.  Like David, we need to trust God, rather than give in to despair.  Turn each fear and worry over to God, and discover that He is more than sufficient to carry us safely through.