The Moments That Sustain Us
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Please open your Bible and read: Psalm 145:1–13
When difficulties arise, what becomes your main focus – the problem, its impact on you, or its effect on others? David’s writings reveal him following God’s plan for meeting troubles: meditating on the Lord’s sufficiency and His good, pleasing, and perfect will. The result was strength and hope for his soul.
Meditation, the focusing of mind and spirit on the Lord, is a critically important discipline in the believer’s life. Through the Psalms, David not only poured out his troubles to the Lord but also continually turned his attention back to the Father. The heart of biblical contemplation is always God.
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Our circumstances can be valuable prompts for meditation if we match a character quality of the Lord to our dilemma. Because David had a trusting relationship with God, his instinct was to deal with trials by anticipating divine help and victory. For example, his impending fight with Goliath brought to mind God’s past and present delivering power. (1 Samuel 17:37) Facing a different kind of danger – King Saul’s murderous threats and advances – David chose to dwell on the attribute of protection: he visualized God as his refuge and fortress. (Psalm 91:2) Grieving over the loss of loved ones, he allowed God’s presence and comfort to fill his heart and mind. (1 Samuel 30:3 – 6)
Our main resource for meditation is the Word of God. Throughout its pages, His character, works, and purposes are clearly displayed. When the next difficulty comes, use it as an opportunity to meditate on some aspect of our triune God. From this will come strength and hope to sustain you.
Question: If you were writing a psalm today, what would you say? Which aspect(s) of God’s nature would you concentrate on?
About this Author: Charles Stanley
