BACK AND FORTH

Poor King David!  In Psalms chapters 41, 42, and 43 King David says in one verse that everyone hates him, then that God is merciful and will strengthen him.  He says that his souls is down cast and he cries for mercy then says that God is his rock and he will praise Him.  Then he asks for deliverance from his enemies who surround him but is then is filled with hope and praise.  David goes from being sad and discouraged to being hopeful and strengthened.  In many of the Psalms this is how David worked out his walk with God.  Just like me.  Just like you. Up one day, down the next.  Just like the hours of the day.  Filled with hope and peace, then trials and turmoil.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  We sway in the storms.  We do not break. We stand in the calm. 

 

The main thing in all of this back and forth in our thoughts, emotions, actions and feelings is that we continually come back to the Lord.  We come back and find the peace that He gives to our troubled souls.  We seek Him and feel Him giving us what we need for the moment, for the hour, for the day, for the month, for the year, for each year.  We continually come back to Him.  He is our rock and our fortress.  Our tower in the storm. Our tower in the calm.

 

Psalms 61:3 (NIV) - For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

 

Proverbs 18:10 (NIV) - The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

 

2 Samuel 22:2 (NIV) - He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.

 

Psalms 59:9 (NIV) - You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress.

 

Jesus told us  we would have trouble.

 

John 16:33 (NIV) - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

Then in James we are told to consider the trials and troubles pure joy!

 

James 1:2 (NIV) - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

 

How do we joyfully accept those trials, temptations, troubles and woes?  Even King David had trouble doing this so why should we feel that we will not experience the same back and forth feelings and emotions?  We won’t and Jesus does not expect us to get it all under control in an out of control world.  We are mere human beings but we do have the Holy Spirit living in us to bring us back each time we start feeling down cast. 

 

The game of tennis goes back and forth, back and forth, until someone hits the ball to an unexpected spot.  We have watched the professionals go for long periods of time back and forth but eventually there is one unexpected hit and a point is scored.  The evil one will try to get us to think that that we are not hitting the mark just right and we have failed.  He will try to make us feel inadequate and undeserving.  He will do whatever he can to discourage us in the plans of the Lord but because we are able to hear God's voice we are able to drive the devil into the ground and away from us.  We are able to hit back powerfully with the joy and perseverance set before us.  God is with us!

 

Psalms 46:11 (NIV) - The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

Yes, we will go back and forth from day to day.  Yes, we will be downcast and overwhelmed at different points of time.  Yes, we will have trials and tribulations.  But when we are held by the Lord God of the universe there is nothing and no one that can keep us from His love, His strength, His peace, His understanding, and His joy. Look up!  Look to Him!  See His face from the top of the tower!  Hear His voice calling to you in the wind!  Know He is with you in the back and in the forth!  Press on!

 

Psalms 9:9 (NIV) - The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.