It’s easy to be optimistic when we’re surrounded by supportive friends who are cheering us on with the coveted pats on the back. It’s not all that hard to be confident when the bank account is healthy, and the investments are doing well. Genuine smiles, robust greetings and an upbeat attitude are all easy when the marriage is strong, the family is tight, the job is secure, the body is healthy, friends are true, the bills are paid, the car is working, your network is expanding, your investments are growing and your leisure time is increasing.
But where do you turn when the marriage sails into troubled waters or your dreams for a life partner go up in smoke, or the local Christian fellowship is fractured by division or scandal or the family is shattered by trouble, or the job goes down the tubes, or disease turns your life upside down, or when your friend betrays you, or the bills are spiking just when your income is tanking? Where do you turn then? When the sky is falling and the walls of your life are crumbling – where do you go?
King David, under very difficult life circumstances, said:
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken…He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalms 62:1-8
Even though David said God was his Rock, did he wonder if he could still be shaken and moved a little during the storms and turbulence of his life? Did you notice the first time he said: “I shall not be greatly shaken.” But the more he focused on the Lord and thought of His might, His omniscience and omnipotence, he concluded: “I shall not be shaken.” Period! When all his familiar supports and defences were stripped away, God was still there. God alone was his rock. He waited and rested only upon God.
If ever David thought he could achieve certain things through his own ingenuity or endeavours, such thinking now was over. In this Psalm, he was stripped of all natural and human resources to deliver his expectations. He was looking only to God and Him alone. The process of climbing to this lofty mountain peak in Christian experience most often starts in a deep and dark valley.
Dear Child of God, you may have lost much or be losing much – but you cannot lose God. Take three minutes to listen to the classic hymn “God Will Take Care of You.” Follow along with the lyrics below.
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test
God will take care of you;
Lean weary one upon His breast,
God will take care of you. – Civilla D. Martin.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
I was so blessed to hear and see these young people sing “God will take care of you” that I looked up the school and found out where it was and who was it’s founder. Very disappointing, as I’m sure it’s an exciting school in a beautiful place.
Sadly, often those who sing beautiful hymns may not enter into the rich truth contained in the lyrics. The link provided in the post was not an endorsement of the individual musicians or the entity who brought their talents together. The endorsement was of the lyrics and the manner in which they were presented. Thank you. I did slightly edit the wording in the post. Thanks so much. Have a blessed day.
Thanks Peter. I have never had the ability to pull myself up by my bootstraps. For most of my life, I have felt inadequate. I cannot rely on my own strength or intelligence. The more trials I encounter, the more I am realizing how much I need Him. And, the older I am becoming, the more incredible He is because He never grew up from a place of privilege either. Jesus was from Nazareth. He was associated with those who were looked down upon. He was not in the top echelon of society. Honestly, He is so gentle and so kind. I’ve found His warmth in the quiet and solitude where I pray to Him and I know He listens. I’m looking forward to seeing Him and I want to tell Him how much I love Him and all that He went through for me. I love Him so much Peter because He went all the way to Calvary just to save me. No one loves me like He does.
Sweet sweet meaningful words Peter. I love I Peter 5:7 and the hymn “No One ever cared for me like Jesus”……..Do you know this hymnn? I have loved it from a young teen and always requested it at Hymn Sings……. Have a Sweet day in the Lord……