WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE IN TROUBLE

April 20, 2023

At some point, everyone will find themselves in trouble. It may be at home, work, school, but if you faithfully walk with Christ, there will be some enemies around you. Satan will see to that.

David knew intense opposition often. There were enemies who literally wanted to take his life. But for some reason, he emerged victorious and always found peace and joy regardless of what swirled around him. His life still speaks to us after thousands of years as he fulfilled his purpose in his generation and gave a vibrant model for the next.

How did David not only survive but thrive in the midst of his troubles?

“ O God of my praise, do not be silent! For they have opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me. They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause. In return for my love they act as my accusers. But I am in prayer.” (Psalm 109:11-4)

In the worst moments of his life, what did David do? Retaliate? Take revenge? Fight back?

He prayed.

Just like the Savior who "kept entrusting his soul to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23), David left his case in the hands of God. He knew that God could do anything and was perfectly righteous in all His judgments. David transferred his case from his own personal courtroom (where he was judge, jury, and executioner) into the courtroom of heaven and was confident that God would settle all that needed to be adjusted.

He had an opinion (just read the rest of the Psalm) of what he thought God should do to his enemies! But he vented that, not with the sword, but with the bended knee. And then he trusted the lovingkindness of God (“Save me according to Your lovingkindness, Vs. 26) and made sure his motivations were pure and only for God’s glory (“Let them know that this is Your hand. You, Lord, have done it.” Vs. 27).

And David’s prayer was not momentary. He remained “in prayer.” The presence of the Father was his high tower, his cave of refuge, his hiding place … and prayer was the door that took him in. He did not merely go there once. More than most men, he stayed there. The secret of David’s long success and great fruitfulness was a life of unceasing prayer.

What will the sentence read about you in your troubles?

“He took revenge.” “He lived in anger and frustration.” “He was constantly afraid.” “He tried to work it out on his own.” “He got bitter.” “He lived in anxiety and fear.”

Or will history record this little sentence about your response to the troubles and enemies of life:

“He was in prayer.”

If not, you are not using your mightiest weapon, trusting your most powerful and loving Ally, and finding your greatest relief and highest purpose.