Time in the Word ~ Psalm 11:3

There are situations in this life that go beyond hard knocks, or missteps, or failures, and reach the zone of overwhelming. Have you ever been overwhelmed by the scope and depth of the loss, or the need you have in your life? Think of the people in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, or Joplin, Missouri, following the angry path of tornadoes through those two communities this past year. It’s stunning how our well-ordered and controlled lives can be converted into chaos in a few short minutes.  

When you are overwhelmed, the most discouraging feeling you have is one of helplessness and answering the question, “What do I do next?” If you have not been there, at the point of being overwhelmed, then I feel that someday you may have that opportunity, and for the Christian it is exactly at these moments when we find if our faith meets the test. People who know us will look our way to see how we respond and if we are true to Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 11 we find a psalm that describes David in a hopeless situation, and one that he cannot possibly escape. His friends advise him to head for the mountains like a fleeing bird to get away. It is at this point in our devotional text that David asks a spiritual question that we all must be prepared to answer as men and women of faith: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

In the dark and tough times Christians must call up their faith in a God who is in control and acts on behalf of those who wait on him (Isaiah 64:4). The most important first step we must make at the moment we feel overwhelmed is to think on God and immediately turn to him! David revisits this same subject in Psalm 46 when he describes the earth giving way and the mountains falling into the sea. His plea is the same there as it is here: turn immediately to the limitless power, protection, and provision of God to supply your needs during desperate times. Remember this simple call to action when you are brought to your knees:

1. Call on God’s help.
2. Remember that God is in control of your circumstance.
3. Calm your mind and be still and ask for God’s wisdom and insight to help you think through what you must do (Psalm 46:10).
4. Act with God’s help who will strengthen you to do what you must do (Philippians 4:13).
5. Think positive and be encouraging as you act day by day with God’s help to work through what has happened. How do I do that? Look at Philippians 4:6-9. God’s peace which transcends understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
6. Praise God with thanksgiving as he blesses you and see how your growing faith in our Lord will give you clarity of mind and increasing energy when you need it.

FATHER, WHEN THE FOUNDATIONS OF MY LIFE ARE BEING DESTROYED, MAY I CALL ON YOU, REMEMBERING THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL SO THAT I MIGHT CALM MY MIND TO ACT IN A POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING WAY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE DAY. FATHER, AS YOU BLESS ME, MAY I PRAISE YOU WITH A SACRIFICE OF THANKSGIVING. AMEN!

Article by Mike White @ Summit church of Christ