Trusting God in Times of Adversity

Psalm 113

The prophet Samuel was led of God to declare David, a teenage shepherd boy, to be the next King of Israel. After the brief, solemn ceremony with his family in Bethlehem, we would naturally assume that a royal chariot with military escort and official entourage immediately escorted David to a palace throne.

However, this only initiated 11 years of hardships, trials, and challenges which God used to prepare David to be a King and “a man after God’s own heart.” In Psalm 13, we see David’s response to years of adversity and discouragement.

We can follow his example in difficult times by:

1. Waiting on God during times of silence (v 1). How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

While touring a huge Toyota Assembly Plant in Kentucky, I saw the slowly moving assembly line process and wondered how a CAMRY could ever be built at that pace. I am glad we were shown the back door of the plant from which 2 new vehicles were driven off the assembly line every 90 seconds.

God is at work in our lives in ways we can not see or understand. Corrie Ten Boon said, “God leads our steps and our stops.” From our current perspective we may see no progress, but rest assured He is at work. Our task is to draw near to Him and faithfully serve Him.

2. Remembering God’s unchanging character (v 3). Consider and hear me, O Lord my God.

David used the Hebrew names meaning “God of Promise” and “God of all power.” David was saying, “The God I serve can make a promise because He knows the future and He has the power to bring it to fulfillment.” When a person says, “I don’t believe in God,” it often is an expression of disappointment because things did not work out as they had wished in the past. If you will ask them to describe the God they do not believe in, you will usually find that they do not have a biblical understanding of the character of God. Our Creator and Sustainer is far better than any false god, false religion, or false perception imagined by man.

The Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting and his truth endures to all generations

(Ps. 100:5).

3. Choosing to trust Him (v 5a). But I have trusted in Your mercy;

Biblical faith is not positive thinking. Faith is acting upon the truth that God has revealed to you through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. It is not a leap into the dark based on a lack of knowledge, but rather a step into the light based upon God’s revelation of Himself. Trust an unknown future to a known God.

The famous hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, who lost her eyesight as a young child due to a mistake during a medical treatment, was used of God to share her testimony in these familiar words:

All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt his tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know what’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well:

4. Rejoicing in our salvation (5b – 6). My heart will rejoice in Your salvation…

In the process of moving to Rocky Mount, my wife Susan, was in a terrible single car accident. Miraculously, she received no injuries – not even a scratch or bruise. Through the resulting precautionary medical exam, it was discovered that she was on the verge of a massive heart attack. As a result, she had by-pass surgery which saved her life. Today, Susan enjoys climbing NC coastal lighthouses. When she emerges on top, I watch from below and thank God for His work in our lives.

Remember when He has faithfully revealed himself in your life and trust that He is still at work. We have entrusted our souls to Him for eternity – let us trust that we are in His hands today. Live your life to the glory of God. This is a fallen, sinful, and fearful world which provides no guarantees. You can trust in the only guarantee that you have and thankfully the only One you need – the Lord Jesus.

Rev. John S Hamm