Psalms 31: 7, 17 “I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy and steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction, You have taken note of my life's distresses…Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, or disappointed, for I am calling upon You..”
Going through difficult seasons in life can leave us feeling in despair, confused and hopeless. Sometimes life difficulties last longer than we anticipated and seem like they will never end. To the person who has abruptly lost their job the “unemployed season” brings feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and doubt. During a “sickness season” your body as well as your mind is gripped with pain, drained and overwhelmed. In the “loneliness season”, the heart is often left reeling from the sting of rejection and abandonment, in search of comfort and desperate for a sense of belonging. These seasons do test our faith, are no doubt difficult to manage and at times too much to handle! While we would all love to live a drama free life, the reality is that LIFE HAPPENS and we are challenged to push through.
This Psalms is a refreshing reminder that God is fully aware of our afflictions and life distresses (v.7). Knowing that he sees what were going through is really enough to give us peace! The word already confirms for us that he has a plan for our life (Jer 29:11), he’ll never leave or forsake us (Joshua 1:5), that joy comes in the morning (Ps 30:5) and that he is a GOOD God!
God has the power to ease our burdens, lighten our load and free us from our pain. We must believe that he will not “disappoint us or put us to shame“(v.17) So, when we find ourselves in the midst of these “seasons” we should do as the psalmist instructs: REJOICE! We should release the sound of praise, a sound that is full of hope and love should flow out of us in the midst of our challenges, knowing that our God has already given us the victory. While you are going through life challenges, focus on the God that sees and acknowledges your pain. Then start to REJOICE and PRAISE him in the midst of it all, declaring his goodness, love and mercy and trusting he has the power to lift you out of your circumstance. Our praise puts our faith into action.
