“For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life [vs13].”

We are troubled and have many obstacles, but the Lord is on our side [vs13]. Oh, what a message of hope - to always have a positive side because God is with us. Enemies surround us and there are many things to fear, but we will not fear but trust the Lord. He has cured our anxieties because we go to Him with prayer, in thanksgiving, and with supplications. He says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7).”

We are not demanding our will but His, and having the precious promises, we rest in His absolute sovereignty and love for us. God’s “no” is better than His “yes”, if “no” is the answer. Let us submit ourselves and trust Him. Let us rest in His love and power. He surely will make us able to praise Him, no matter what comes. We ask to be kept from sin, and we know that He will do it. We ask for other blessings, and He does what is best. Bless the Lord! Take your fears to Him and rest.

Secondly, when we cry, He hears us [vs22]. “For I said in my haste, ‘I am cut off from before Your eyes’; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You.” He is not a god without ears, a mere figment of our imagination.

On the bus yesterday from Lagos Nigeria to Cotonou Benin, I heard a false prophet and rebuked him before the people. He declared and decreed that no harm would come to us, that our journey would be smooth, and our life financially prosperous... but we don’t have that power [James 4:13-16]. God controls tomorrow and the future is in His hand. It is better, therefore, to SUBMIT unto His care - His wisdom, love, and righteousness - than to submit to a god of our own making, who is no more than a genie in a lamp or a good luck charm. This is not faith and godliness, to control God! It is to submit and know that He does best, and He is WITH US in the harmful things, in the hurt, and in the pain.

God is not a god of ease! Ask Job. Ask His Only Son. Ask the Apostles! He is a God of peace in the storm, a Deliverer, and a Savior: Therefore, we have troubles, so that He can get us out, even the pains of death [Gen 1:2-3].

We are not to fear because we are not alone: He doesn’t see us troubled and abandon us, but He draws near - when sin is against us, temptations are strong, and circumstances cause us much trouble.

Do not be distressed by hardship: Turn to God, your most helpful Friend.

Finally, everyone who hopes in the Lord should feel blessed [vs24]. “Be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” You are not forsaken any more than Job, or Mary, or Peter. You are not left abandoned anymore than Spurgeon or Whitefield. You are no more forsaken than the GREATEST SAINTS in the world today, because He hears your prayer, loves you everlastingly, and He is on your side. It’s not the size of faith but the source of faith: It came from God to give God glory in His faithfulness. It is not how great YOU are, but how Great HE is to all who trust Him and call on Him.

Do not be discouraged, dear weak and tiny saint. You trust the Lord, and He helps you. He will not fail, so we are to be confident at all times - not in ourselves or circumstances, but in God who loves us and rules all… God who is faithful to His people.