Have you ever faced a challenge or threat that from man’s perspective seemed impossible to escape or conquer? Recount how you might have responded. With a high degree of determined confidence or dreaded consternation? Such was the choice Saul and the Israelite army faced when assaulted by the evil Philistine champion, Goliath. In their minds, to engage in battle with this warrior meant the sure likelihood of enslavement or death. The daunting probability paralyzed the entire army. Inaction became their daily rule. That is, until David walked on the scene. Still merely a man, and a young man at that, yet his perspective was strikingly different. His confidence was entirely in the LORD of hosts and that determined the choice he made. His assurance drove him into action that won the day. No giant or threat of any kind could keep him from moving forward in conquering faith, because David knew from experience who his Deliverer was. The more we experience God’s deliverance and keeping power, the deeper will grow our gratitude and love for our Great Deliverer. Sometimes He chooses to deliver us from our trouble and other times He chooses to deliver us in our trouble. Either way, He will bring us into a deeper relationship with Him. God is always working His plan to draw us closer to Him. His drawing card is often troubling thoughts, difficult relationships, or hard circumstances that drive us to seek His help and presence. He wants to establish our faith in His Word and will, never leave us to the folly of our willful ways. The futility and false security of human thinking and device are never more evident than when we are in real trouble and find these unable to deliver. Conversely, the truth of God’s Word, His promises, and His power are never more evident than when we are in the throes of difficulty. The righteous can take great comfort in God’s perfect and protective righteousness (Prov. 11:8). We choose our lot by association, whether with good or evil. The righteous will always ultimately be delivered from evil. The wicked have no such promise. It is always wisest to cast our lot with Christ, the righteous Deliverer.

Challenge: Remember who called you, why He called you, and where He is taking you. Trust Him to lead you on the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Ps. 23:3) and to complete the good work He has begun in you (Phil. 1:6). You know you are safely walking in God’s will if you are spending time knowing and trusting God’s Word and walking in His ways. 

Prayer: Lord, give me enough joy during difficulty to keep me from the sloughs of despair; and, give me just enough sorrow in life to keep me from the subtleness of folly. Help me always to remember the promise that “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me” (Ps. 138:7a). Deliver me from the Evil One and from my propensity to sin. I will rejoice in the promise and power of daily deliverance through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

God’s blessings on your day!