Psalm 31: cling to God, He won’t mind
I read this psalm, and the following verses draw my attention: “Yahweh, what quantities of good things you have in store for those who fear you, and bestow on those who make you their refuge, for all humanity to see.”
Why do I say this? Because the person writing this psalm clearly feels persecuted. He describes being hunted down, having become “contemptible”, even “loathsome” to his neighbors. He is surrounded by slander, terror, people are scheming to take his life. Yet, he trusts in God, and writes: “But my trust is in you, Yahweh; I say, ‘You are my God,’ every moment of my life is in your hands…” What’s more, he praises God for His goodness, and says, “Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of His faithful love…”
Do you see the dichotomy here? To human eyes, this is incredulous. On the one hand, the poor man is really down in the dumps, and on the other hand, he praises God for the care He shows him. You begin to wonder, does this man sense reality correctly? The amazing answer is that he does! He’s got it right. He sees enemies clutching at him, yet he also sees God rescuing him when it really matters. He writes: “You… have not handed me over to the enemy, but have given me freedom to roam at large” and “Yet You heard my plea for help when I cried out to you.”
That’s what’s amazing! To human eyes, it seems all hope is lost for this man. Yet he knows better, having seen it with his own eyes how God came through for him when he really needed help. It’s the same for us! All may seem lost to us, but we shouldn’t give up. If we make God our refuge, He will come through for us! After He does, we too will be able to see how He carried us through the whole ordeal, and say that He worked “miracles”.
I see it in my life. So often I thought there was no hope for me and had given up, yet I clung on to God and hoped He’d somehow come through for me. He did, in miraculous ways! Solutions sprung up out of nowhere, and I was delivered. Usually, things aren’t as bad as they seem. I think most people have a pessimistic streak in them, and tend to paint things grayer than they are, but really, it’s not as bad as all that. If we’re still alive, that’s a miracle in itself.
The closing verses sum it all up: “Love Yahweh, all His faithful: Yahweh protects His loyal servants, but He repays the arrogant with interest. Be brave, take heart, all who put your hope in Yahweh.” Amen!
