Though the wrong seem oft so strong, God is the ruler yet!

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“Though the wrong seem oft so strong” By Diane Webb

Psalms 13:5 “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”

Psalms 13 starts out with David feeling forgotten by God--lost, and hopeless.  He sees his enemies prevail over him and is sure he will die without God’s intervention.  Then he prays to God for help and immediately feels better.  After praying he rests easy—confident God will save him.  He feels gladness in his heart because he is sure God will rescue him from his enemies.  Have you ever felt abandoned by ones who were supposed to be there for you?  Perhaps ones who promised to never leave you? Have you thought God has forgotten you as well—leaving you to face your struggles alone?  This is how David felt as he cries out to God in Psalms 13.  First he laments—“why Lord”, and “how long must I watch as my enemies prevail over me”?  It appears as if David was comforted by God as soon as he prayed.  David was reassured of God’s mercy and in God’s ability and plan to save him.  He cried out to God and got an immediate answer.  Sometimes when we pray we do get instant peace—an immediate answer.  It’s as if God is telling us, “I am here and I’ve got your back”.  As we open the lines of communication between us and God we are comforted by God’s presence.  Often we are reassured that God is in control, is there with us, and knows what he is doing.  In that wonderful hymn, “This is my father’s world” (Words: Maltbie Babcock, 1901. Music: English melody) are the lines “though the wrong seem oft so strong, God is the ruler yet”.  This line seems straight from David’s Psalm.  Like David, there was a woman who was in the middle of a bitter, unexpected divorce—the result of betrayal beyond measure.  On one of the many nights she could not sleep she was feeling utterly alone and in anguish.  She spent the better part of the night feeling the full force of what had happened and feeling abandoned by ones she loved and trusted. Like David, she asked God, “why” and “how long”.   In the wee hours of the morning she was given the gift of God’s presence and became immediately enlightened with the knowledge, “I am never alone” and “God is in control”.  She knew God was with her and would never leave her no matter how strong the foe seemed—in power, position, money, and friends.  Even though she found herself without earthly support she was confident in the mercy of God and in her heart she was joyful in her salvation. Even though she no longer had a church family, she still had the head of the church—Jesus Christ—by her side.  There are pivotal moments in our lives when our world seems to suddenly collapse from under us.  When all the things we believe are true--our sense of stability or security--are ripped away and we see the truth underneath.  We are always mistaken when we place trust in humankind and in material well being.  Any sense of security outside of God is an illusion and given time most certainly will let us down.  Only in putting our trust in God and looking to him for our salvation and security can we ever really experience peace.  Whatever is going on in your life right now—stop and look to God for your comfort and reassurance.  Do not look to people who, no matter the good intentions, are fallible by nature and most likely will let you down—whether intentional or not.  Fill your heart with the love of God and rest in knowing he is there with you and for you.  He will never let you down. Remember “though the wrong seem oft so strong, God is the ruler yet”.

God, no matter what is going on in my life; help me to always look to you for my comfort and security.  Remind me not to place my faith in material or earthly things.  Help me recognize only you can offer the peace and security I need.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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