Facing Challenges

“I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears…Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”  -Psalm 34:4, 19 (ESV).

This is a Psalm attributed to David. The introduction explains the occasion for which it was written:  “Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech.”  The incident was recorded in I Samuel 21:13 when David, running away from angry King Saul, was about to be detained by King Achish of Gath.  David feigned madness.  He made marks on the door of the gate and let his spittle run down.  The king told the people he did not need another madman.  David was released and hid out in the cave at Adullam.  It seems that Abimelech and Achish were both names used for the king of Gath in the land of the Philistines.  It was a narrow escape for David.  However, scholars argue that the introduction might have been erroneously added later and that this may not be a Psalm of David since it has characteristics of later wisdom literature. In the Psalm, the author gives God due credit for taking away his fears and delivering him from his afflictions. Psalm 34 is a poem written in acrostic form, using the Hebrew alphabet to begin each verse.  But David  (or the author) did not follow through with all the letters, omitting the Hebrew “w” and having the last verse start with the Hebrew “p”.  I can identify with the poet, for I, too, like to express thoughts in poetic form.  My pattern, when I do write in acrostic form, is not to follow through on letters of the alphabet,as David and other Old Testament writers did on occasion, but to select a word and use the letters in order in an acrostic.  For example, “Facing Challenges”:

            Following God does not preclude problems.

            Around us all the time are mountains high

            Calling us to exercise our best intentions,

            Inviting us to trust Him and fully rely

            Night and day upon His strength and wisdom

            Going on by faith and not by sight.

            Calling on Him in all circumstances

            Has all the characteristics of seeking light

            Amidst the darkness that surrounds our way.

            Looking for His Help always available,

            Leaving our burdens at His feet we press on,

            Engaging in prayer and gaining strength anew.

            Nothing should distract us from the goals

            God leads us to see and strive toward gladly,

            Ever mindful to give Him glory in our souls,

            Secure whatever comes of weal or woes.

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for challenges and problems.  They strengthen us and help us rely on Your power to overcome.  May we seek You daily and know the blessings of deliverance from fears and cowering.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.