Trustful Confidence

Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.

Psalm 37:1-5
Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.

Psalm 9:9
"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

Good day--this day too the Lord has made and let us rejoice in His gift to us.

In our earthly pilgrimage we need to remind each other that the LORD is always our stronghold. He has been the stronghold of His people from the beginning of time. C.S. Lewis (writing in the dreadful days of WWII) reminds us that we should not exaggerate the novelty of our situation. That is to say that in every age there have been troubles and in some periods of time past there have been troubles much more severe than our own. Thus to remind ourselves as we go forward in the callings given to us that we do so with a long range perspective knowing our times are also held in the Hand of our Sovereign God.

As has been said by another, David mentions "the oppressed", which implies people abused by those who exercise control over them. The Hebrew word implies something being crushed or harassed. Perhaps the abusers were political rulers or wealthy landowners.

God is identified as "a stronghold" for those abused in such ways. In Hebrew terminology, a "stronghold" was a high, safe, refuge. It was a place where people could seek security from attackers or enemies. The root word, in fact, most literally means "height." David often resorted to strongholds during his wilderness exile, but he felt safest in his reliance on the Lord.

And it must be the same with us. The Lord is still giving us time to labour in His vineyard. Let us do so in confidence that come what may our labour for the LORD is not in vain. Let us do so not in fear but simply being who we are called to be--disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wishing you all well in kingdom service. Sincerely in the blessed comfort of our Lord's grace and truth-- Rev. P.J. Vellenga