Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD. 4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! 5 O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. Selah

17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

Life is filled with problems. We often think how wonderful it would be if we could just have a day (or maybe two) in which we had no problems, no pain, no suffering, and no anxiety and spend it all in joy. While we are promised that such a time is coming, we will not see it in this life. So why are some seemingly always happy and others seem to always be down and out? Of course there are many possible answers, depending on the people and circumstances involved. One explanation is our attitude based on our faith.

The Apostle Paul told the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord always” and then for emphasis he repeated it. He is not suggesting that we go thru life with a permanent smile on our face and never admit to sorrow. He is telling us to trust in Jesus and the promises of God. When we do this we know (as he later states in the same book) that we can “do all things thru Christ who gives me strength.” When we know deep inside our souls that we can face anything life can throw at us and come out victorious, we have reason to rejoice. We also are promised that God will keep watch over our lives and never allow us to face more that we can bear but with every situation will provide us with a way to handle it. As if this were not enough, he also promises us that he will use our worst nightmare for our ultimate good. It is this kind of faith that gives us a peace that those outside of Christ cannot understand. The Psalmist did not have these New Testament passages but he had these same convictions concerning the God who loved him and took care of his every need. It is with this kind of faith that he could always praise God and give him all the glory.

O God, increase my faith. I confess that too often I am weak and trust in my own self instead of trusting you. I praise you that you have given me so many promises of your goodness and your care for me. I thank you that you are a loving God who has not abandoned me to the circumstances of life. As I allow your Spirit to fill my heart, give me strength to be filled with joy and peace. Use me to bring comfort and joy to others. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we trust him to fill us with his peace.