Hope in Times of Struggle

We do not need to look hard today to find individuals struggling financially. Most of us either are struggling ourselves or know someone who is. In these tough economic times, many hard working intelligent individuals find themselves on the verge of financial collapse. During these times it is disheartening to see our leaders enjoying lavish vacations, date nights, and concerts at the White House while we continue to struggle for survival. David, the second King of Israel knew what struggling was all about and what he did in his times of struggle can teach us what to do in our struggles.

Forced to leave everything he owned because of King Saul’s threats of death, David found himself hiding in caves with a rag tag army to protect him. His situation appeared hopeless and it must have seemed to him and his family that there was nowhere to turn. However, David found his hope in the Lord and wrote many Psalms declaring his hope. Psalm 25 is one of these Psalms and I wanted to share it with you in the hope that it will give you something to hold on to in your time of struggle.

Ps 25
25:1 A psalm of David.

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. 3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

4 Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD;point out the right road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.All day long I put my hope in you.

6 Remember, O LORD, your unfailing love and compassion, which you have shown from long ages past. 7 Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.

8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way. 10 The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.

11 For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins. 12 Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. 13 They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the Promised Land. 14 Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant. 15 My eyes are always looking to the LORD for help, for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and in deep distress. 17 My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! 18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. 19 See how many enemies I have,and how viciously they hate me! 20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you. 21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

22 O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.
NLT

The Lord heard David’s many prayers and delivered him from all of his troubles. David did ascend to the throne and one of his descendents, Jesus Christ, The Son of God came and provided salvation for our sins just as God promised in his Word.

I encourage you to never stop praying to the Lord. Never stop worshiping Him or offering up praise for what he has already done and is going to do in your life. God has a plan for you and is now leading you in the direction he wants you to go but you must stick with him and not wander off.

I am praying for you and know God has great things planned for your life.