Firm in my footing
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. Psalm 143:8-11 NLT
When was the last time God intervened on your behalf? For David, there is no one to turn to in times of distress except God, “for I am trusting you.” The Lord always welcomes our prayers for relief and often answers them, yet the greatest proof of our trusting God is how we endure trials. Even if David will not receive the ultimate solution to his dilemma, he prays that he will be more aware of God’s presence, love, direction, and to understand His will. He asks that he will remain firm in his footing while going through trials in life. When Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were asked to compromise their faith to God by bowing to the gods of Babylon or they will be thrown to the blazing furnace, they told King Nebuchadnezzar; “We do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). Definitely, we should believe that God is able to meet our needs but a growing faith accepts God’s love without conditions. Real trust in God does not waver even when answers are not available. We remain dependent on God’s love, presence and direction because of our substantive faith. We need to have this kind of faith for this is what will carry us through when relief does not come. Such difficult moments are less a test of what God is able to do and more of an evidence for how much we are willing to trust Him. When hard times come we should feel free to seek immediate relief from God, but we must also be ready to continue to rest in His love and follow in His ways even if the answer we desire does not come.
Blessings,
