wicked people of his day; who heaped up wealth and pleasures unconcerned
about eternity before them?
As David reflected on the vain pursuits of the ungodly, he was forced to ask
himself what he was looking for in life. "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you," he said in verse 7. His reason for living was found in
God, not in material possessions or worldly pursuits.
I can imagine David looking around him in his grief at the laughter and
prosperity of the wicked. They seemed to be without a care in the world.
They had friends and loved ones beside them. They rejoiced in the good
things of life. As he reflected on this and the fact that these individuals had
no concern for God or His purposes, David came to realize that their
rejoicing was only for a time. The day would come when they would stand
before God and face His judgement. As he thought about these things,
David came to the conclusion that he was in a better position than those
who rejoiced. Though he suffered for a time, he was in a right relationship
with his God and no amount of worldly pleasure or possessions could equal
such a privilege.
In verse 8, David cried out to God to save him from sin and keep him from
the scorn of fools. He committed himself to being silent and to trusting
what God was doing. David was struggling with his enemies at that time.
He was feeling overwhelmed and could not understand the purpose of God.
As he reflected on what was happening, he realised that what was
happening in his life was in the purpose and plan of a sovereign God (verse
9). God had permitted these things to happen to him and all David's
complaining and grumbling would only show that he did not trust Him.
Instead, David turned his attention to the Lord God. He asked God to
remove his affliction from him so that he would not be overcome by the
blow of his hands.
There are three things we need to understand when we are facing trials in
our lives. First, we need to understand that no matter what happens to us,
everything is allowed by a sovereign God. If God wanted to, He could
remove our problems but He doesn't always do that. Second, whatever trial
we face, God is able to strengthen us and give us all we need to go through
that trial. Third, God will use whatever He allows to accomplish His greater