Psalm 59:16 (NIV)
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
There are moments and times when we each of us can feel that the world is crashing around us … when we feel overwhelmed and anxious about things beyond our control … and it seems that nothing is going right in life; at least not according to our desires or expectations. Such are the situations and circumstances in our lives … often involving stress within relationships with others and within ourselves as well. But I believe there is an overarching purpose God is using in each of those times or seasons of our lives. His purpose is to deepen our faith in Him … to build a foundation of trust in Him … to increase our reliance upon Him. Because we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Cf. Romans 8:28)
So I love this verse for us today … because it reminds us to shift our focus from the circumstances to the purposes. “I will sing of Your strength.” This inspires me to remember that there is power and strength available to me. The resources of heaven are only a prayer away when I feel helpless to change the circumstances that I am going through. It reminds me that God provides His strength … His grace to endure it and to persevere in faith. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Cf. Isaiah 40:29) And Paul affirmed, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” (Cf. Philippians 4:13) And in 1 Corinthians 1:25, Paul shared, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” God strengthens us with all power according to His glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience. (Cf. Colossians 1:11)
“In the morning, I will sing of your love!” The love of God for me … for each of us … is the best knowledge of all to keep in mind. For He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” From Jeremiah 31:3, we have the assurance that God loves us with an everlasting love. It is an everlasting covenant of love … and God is faithful to His Word. So, yes, we should sing of His love … we should acknowledge that His love and His strength are a fortress and a refuge in times of trouble. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Cf. John 16:33) Indeed, Jesus is our fortress and refuge! And we should go to Him … not to escape the problems or circumstances we face, but to navigate them with the confidence and assurance of faith that He will work them for our good according to His purposes.
In His “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus asked, “Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to our life or another inch to your stature?” (Cf. Matthew 6:27) Further on, Jesus instructed: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Cf. Matthew 6:34) The Apostle Peter likewise advised, “Cast all of your cares and anxieties upon Him because He cares for you.” (Cf. 1 Peter 5:7) Here Peter must have had Psalm 55:22 in mind which reads: Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” How well King David knew … and wrote for our admonition: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20 He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. (Cf. Psalm 34:17-20)
We do not have to be shaken with all the problems and troubles that come into our lives. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Cf. Romans 8:37) So, I encourage us to embrace God’s love for us … to receive His strength through the Spirit … and to express in our hearts the delight of His fulfilled promises. Yes, sing of His strength! This morning, sing of His love! He is your fortress … your refuge … your strength. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Cf. Proverbs 18:10) Indeed, your prayers to Him acknowledge His sovereignty over your life and bring you to a position of submission … of trust … of faith. Yes, God is glorified when you enter His presence and seek Him for every need and aspect of your life. That is His purpose … because He does not want to be a part of your life; rather, He is your life. Amen.
So Now You Know 