A Psalm of David
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress--
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness,
And seek falsehood? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my hear!
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep--
for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
God never wastes suffering, He redeems all of it for His glory and our blessing. The classic scripture for the concept that suffering displays God's strength through our weakness is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, where we learn that God's grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness.
Our culture hates weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. It gets us closer to what we were created to be—completely dependent on God. Consider how the Lord Jesus was the exact representation of the glory of the Father— He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. And He was the strongest person the world has ever known. Not in His own strength, but He displayed the Father's strength. His strength can shine through us – because we know God better through our suffering. A man once said, "I got theology in seminary, but I learned reality through trials. I got facts in Sunday School, but I learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances. I got truth from studying, but I got to know the Savior through suffering."
At night as David would lay his head down, he would pray. My Lord God, how long will they turn glory into shame with their rebellion and lies? His son Absalom, if this was in David’s mind here, was still attempting to tarnish David’s reputation (2 Sam. 15:3). If we belong to the Lord we are set apart—set apart in His love. In the care of God, David was safe and God would hear and respond to his prayers.
Joyous Peace in God
In the face of opposition, we can joyfully be fill with peace and security in God. The joy and contentment David experienced in trusting in the Lord was greater than the gladness of the harvest festivities. Even in distress he could rest in peace and safety—restful sleep. True joy and peace depend not on circumstances but on God’s protection and provisions (Romans 14:17-18 ).
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