How To Gain the Strength of God in the Midst of Trials

Psalm 143: 11: "For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble."

David was rather keen at knowing that in the midst of tribulation, God was the One he needed to seek to gain deliverance from his difficulties. Psalm 143 in particular has a number of examples of ways we should process through the trials in our lives.

First, David sought the LORD in prayer and a desire for mercy (vs. 1-2). As David petitioned the LORD for deliverance, he recognized that God was faithful and righteous. David also confessed his sin, acknowledging that no one is righteous before a holy God.

Secondly, David assessed his deplorable situation and presented his case before the LORD (vs. 3). This necessitated not only contemplation but personal introspection on his part. One can conclude that if David found things in his life that he was doing to bring such consequences, he confessed them to the LORD and changed his ways.

Thirdly, David realized that he was not going to be able to get through his ordeal through his own strength (vs, 4). How often do we try to fix the burdens that we face rather than taking our situations to the LORD? We need to approach the throne of God in faith that He will intervene for us and work out His purposes for His glory (which ultimately is best).

Fourthly, David reflected upon God's faithfulness as he remembered what God had done in his life in days gone by. David found strength in the recollection of the past, and in the assurance that God was faithful and consistent. If God brought deliverance in the past, then surely He again would do so in David's present situation. We too can find that such reflections can spur on our faith in God in the midst of our trials. We can find such assurances by our reflection upon God's works as recorded in the Scriptures and in God's direct workings in our lives.

Fifthly, David had a teachable spirit that was open to being molded by God. He specifically shared with the Lord, "Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul . . . . Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (vs. 8, 10). How often do we approach the Lord in the midst of our trials with a closed spirit, unwilling to let God teach us and shape us through the experience? We must be pliable as we go through these difficulties, knowing that the LORD wants to mature us in our faith, bringing triumph in the midst of tragedy.

Lastly, David professed his allegiance to the LORD as His Master. David understood that his purpose for living was not for his own selfish desires, but to serve the LORD of hosts as a servant. Certainly for God to permit such difficulty in David's life, suggests that God was working out His Divine purposes in the midst of the ordeal. David knew that he needed to be attentive to his Master's will in the circumstance, knowing that glorifying the LORD was his foundational purpose in life.

God is always there with us as we traverse the burdensome paths in life. He works out His purposes in the midst of our difficulties to draw us closer to Him in a spirit of utter dependence. Sometimes He brings deliverance from our ordeals. In all situations, He wants to teach us and draw us into an ever closer intimacy with Him. We can see this happening with David in verse 6: "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land."

May we never forget that when we seek God during our trials, God will impart peace and strength to us so that we can persevere and be further transformed by His glorious presence and work in our lives.