-Brandon Walker
I was talking to a church family member the other day, and I asked the usual, "How's everything going for you right now?" I got a pretty honest answer, which, if I'm being honest, is rare in itself. I have found that most of us will pass up a wonderful opportunity to share our burdens with our brothers and sisters in Christ and just simply answer "I'm good," or "Just fine," when some things in our lives are anything but "good" or "fine." Anyways, this particular church member answered with "I'm 'going through it' right now honestly." We got to have a good conversation and counseling session, and it reminded me of the truth that we will all "go through it" in our lives on this earth. As a matter of fact, storms and trials are just as much part of our experience as Christians on this earth as the mountain top experiences. And, without one, you can't have the other. A valley wouldn't exist unless there were high points on both sides of it. Such is our life and journey in this life as we follow our Savior through it all. The "mountain tops" of life can give us rest, reflection, and gratitude. The valleys of our faith walk can strengthen our faith, force us to walk closer with our Lord, and even give us gratitude for the mountain tops of life. Both serve their holy purpose as they are all under the watchful and loving eyes of our Heavenly Father.
In Psalm 71, David was getting close to the end of his reign as king, and as David did quite a bit in the Psalms, he was asking God for help and deliverance from his enemies. We could all learn a thing or two about prayer by reading the Psalms more often. David's consistency in his prayers shows that David understood what it takes to make it in those times where he was "going through it." He knew God was His strength, and nothing else would do but God. In chapter 71, he goes on to say "I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long." What David meant was he knew that people were watching him as he "was going through it." Those around David knew of his struggles and trials, and his life had become a "sign" to others. In other words, all the times that God had answered David's prayers, rescued him from His enemies, and even raised him up to a place of honor, had become testimonies of God's goodness, and people were marveled by these wonders in his life. And, David couldn't keep silent about these things. He "declared God's splendor all day long." One of God's purposes for trials is for us to tell of His mighty saving work when we come out of the other side of "going through it." That's what David did. His life was an ongoing testimony of God's goodness, as so ours should be. Christian, any and all circumstances in our lives, good or bad, we should praise Him to others. Maybe you remember "going through it" in the past and it seems that all it brought you was nothing but pain and a scarred memory. Have you praised Him for bringing you through it? Maybe that's what you're missing; you're not giving Him the glory for preserving your life as you "went through it." David may have had his mistakes in life, but he also got a lot right. He was a man after God's own heart. He gave glory to and praise to whom it rightfully belonged. He knew that was His purpose in life. It's ours, too. We are called to reflect His glory in all we do and say, and tell of His wondrous works in our lives. Let's declare His splendor all day long.