On My Side

Ps. 112:7

"He will not be afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord."

Repeatedly in today's reading, the psalmist's states that a life with God is not a life free from stress, disease,  conflict, and even death. Even though this is true, these passages emphasize that God is there with His saints, and His strength is there for them. First, it says God's child will not be afraid of  bad news so obviously there is bad news. The psalmist handles this news because his heart is firm, trusting in God.  Ps. 116:3 says that the "pangs of death encompassed the psalmist." He suffered distress and anguish, but he was able to call on the Lord for help. He believed in God even when his life was full of affliction. Ps. 116: 15 says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."  God is with him in death and even delights in his death, but does not remove death from him. Ps. 118:5 says that out of distress the psalmist called on God. Even though he is pursued by evil men, he can say "The Lord is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me?"  If the saint of God need not fear death, then what else is there? The saint looks in triumph not because he has no problems but because the Lord is on his side through the problems. The Lord is his strength, his song, his deliverance, his life, and his light. It is in the dark times that the light of God and the glory of His presence shines brightest.

Father,

Never let me forget that you are there in the dark times. Remind me always that a life with you lacks fear because You give me the strength to endure the pain.

In Jesus name,

Amen