It’s so easy to get discouraged with this world we live in. There are diseases, natural disasters, wars, and catastrophes plastered all over the newspapers. Most of the news we receive nowadays is bad news and we start living in fear of the wrong that encircles. It is tempting to give into what this world has in mind for us, and it can be depressing when you live in a world that rushes to see the glass half empty all of the time. There is a lot of good around us but we focus on the negative. But even when it feels like darkness surrounds me, I know that it will not overcome me because I have hope.
Psalm 3 speaks words of hope and truth. It says:
“(1) Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! (2) Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.’ (3) But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (4) I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. (5) I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (6) I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. (7) Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of wicked. (8) From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people."
This chapter talks about how the Lord is a shield, a deliverer, and our sustainer. Let's look at each attribute.
How is God our shield?
The word shield can be used as a noun or a verb. It can mean "a person or thing providing protection" or "the act of protecting someone from a danger, risk or unpleasant experience”. God will protect us from harm. He screens us from the corrupt. He puts himself between us and harm so that we can be safe.
How is God our deliverer?
Deliverance is “the act of being rescued or set free”. You are usually rescued from something negative. A deliverer is “someone who provides something promised or expected”. The Bible holds countless promises that God has delivered in the past, in the present, and will deliver in the future. He will rescue us from harm.
How is God our sustainer?
To sustain means “to strengthen or support physically or mentally” or “to bear the weight of an object or person without breaking or falling”. God is there to be our support and he will bear our weight without letting us break.
We have a God who isn’t an unemotional robot. He feels our pain and has compassion. He doesn’t like when we are in pain. His Son, Jesus, knows better than anyone else what we are going through. Hebrews 4:14-16 talks about Jesus as our High Priest and says:
“(14) Therefore, since we have a high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet he did not sin.(16) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
So even when living in this world can be scary and unpredictable there are several things we can do to make it easier:
1. Rely on God. Let him be your shield, your deliverer, and sustainer. He wants to help you but he can’t force you to seek him out. Trust that he knows best even when you aren’t sure why certain things happen.
2. Don’t keep this hope to yourself. I can’t imagine living without this hope I have. So, why should we be selfish and keep it to ourselves? Share what you know with those around you that are struggling.
3. Let the good start with you. Yes, we all want there to be more good in the world, but we don’t even try to be loving and show kindness to others. Something as simple as a stranger smiling to me has made my day in the past. Please and thank you go a long way, trust me. Don’t underestimate what one person can do. So let the good you want in this world to start with you. Don’t sit around just waiting for it to happen. Shine the light of Christ.
4. Be mindful of the words you speak. How much negativity comes out of your own mouth?
5. Be loving to others without asking for anything in return. Do favors for people just because. Give compliments just because. Sometimes loving others and being personable isn’t always convenient, but do it JUST BECAUSE! Show unconditional love and don’t let this be something that you just check off your list once you’ve accomplished it.
6. It’s okay to ask for help. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. We all need help at some point and it isn’t something we should be embarrassed about. I could have easily avoided so much stress in the past if I had simply asked someone for help. We aren’t meant to live alone.
7. Never underestimate the power of prayer. It can be easy to forget about prayer, but it’s so important. Prayer is communication with God. No prayer is too small for God; every thing you ask Him is heard.
All in all, I know sometimes it feels like the world is discouraging us. But, if you have a relationship with Christ and rely on Him, you have hope. I am going to end with Romans 8:37-39:
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Now, if you truly believe this, then go out and live it!
-Amanda
