Tenacious trust
by Ruth Olsen
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Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me (Psalm 69:16).
Read Psalm 69:7–10,(11–15),16–18
David has been having a hard time and is in great distress. For whatever reason, he has been feeling the cost of discipleship in his daily life. People have turned against him, spreading false accusations. Even those closest to him dissociate themselves from him. And it hurt.
Yet the psalmist recognises that only the Lord can rescue and deliver him. He appeals to the goodness of the Lord’s love and great mercy to rescue and redeem him. ‘Lord, help!’
Times of trouble find us wherever we are. The trouble itself is not the issue. Rather, it’s what we do with it. Do we respond with faith, taking it to the Lord in prayer, or do we look to ourselves to solve the trouble and throw a pity party?
Let’s learn from the psalmist David and appeal to the Lord because of who he is and what he is like. Let us grow in becoming tenacious in our trusting him, no matter what is happening. In moments of need, the psalmists frequently ask God why he hides his face, or as here, they plead with him not to do so. For when he does hide his face, it’s like the sunshine has gone. But when his face shines on a person, blessing, encouragement and strength come.
The Aaronic (priestly) blessing (Numbers 6:22–27) places the Lord’s name and blessing on his people. When a loving parent gazes upon a beloved child, their face shines with delight. Can you imagine your Abba Father gazing at you like that? His face turned toward us reminds us that nothing can separate us from his love, despite the lies the enemy may feed us. Jesus confirms the Father’s gaze of loving acceptance. He has come to rescue and redeem us and anyone who trusts him.
Father, by your Spirit, draw us into a closer walk with you to recognise you at work in our lives each day. Open our eyes to Jesus. Thank you for being totally trustworthy! We bless you! Amen.
Ruth lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her husband, Steen. Peritoneal dialysis at night is now their settled ‘new normal’. Ruth says, ‘It is in the challenges of life where we grow in recognising the Lord’s enabling and faithfulness. Like the psalmist, we grow in knowing the goodness of the Lord’s love and his great mercy. All praise be to him!’
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