I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. —Psalm 118:13-14
Followers of Christ will find themselves in some difficult, painful, and trying situations throughout their lives. Your daughter may miscarry her baby, your spouse may lose his or her job, a dear friend might fall gravely ill. All of these are reminders that we live in a fallen and a broken world.
When the author of Psalm 118 wrote, “All nations surrounded me (v. 10),” it seemed as if the entire world was against him, pushing him hard to fall. We do not know the specifics of his situation but suffice to say he was under acute duress.
Regardless of the specifics of his context, he teaches that our Lord can be trusted. He is a God who is there for His people, helping them. The assistance God provided was equal to the duress and difficulty faced by the psalmist. Consequently, he did not fall (Ps 121:3).
The same is true for those who are in Christ today. He is the strength and the song for all who are His. As you grieve the loss of the baby, you recall that our God is a God who comforts the downcast (2 Corinthians 7:6). As you wonder how your financial situation will play out with your spouse’s job loss, you remember that Jesus has promised that those who seek Him first will have all they need added to them (Matthew 6:28-34). As you hold the hand of your gravely ill friend in the hospital, you are reminded that there is no condemnation for her because she is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Jesus is not only the Christian’s strength, He is their comfort, provision, and salvation. We can sing along with the psalmist, filled with victorious joy. Even if we suffer for a little while (1 Peter 1:6), we know how the song ends. Revelation 5:9-14 assures us that Jesus—the magnificent Conductor—will usher us into the great choir of Heaven, in His glorious presence–forever!
For Reflection
How have you felt as if “all nations” have been against you in the last few weeks?
How does knowing that Christ is your strength and salvation help you endure in those situations?
Exalt Christ this week by telling someone how He gave you strength in a difficult situation.
Pat Dirrim and his wife Barbara helped start Grace Fellowship church in Cumming, Georgia 20 years ago. They have worshipped there ever since, outside of the two years when they served as missionaries in Guatemala. They've been married for 29 years and have seven children, three of whom remain at home, and one grandson. Grace Fellowship has been using Truth78 curriculum from the start and the Dirrims have introduced it to many other churches, as well as trained others how to use it.