Psalms For When You’re Stressed
READ: Psalm 34:11-22
The thirty-fourth Psalm offers so much practical wisdom for stress that we broke it into two parts.
David was forced to flee from his home because he was being chased by a blood- thirsty executioner. King Saul, David’s hunter, was upset that the people of Israel wanted David as king instead of him. This made him violently seek vengeance. Can you imagine being in poor David’s situation? He was already anointed as King (1 Samuel 16). Furthermore, God assured him over and over that he would be the king. David knew all of this was true, but it didn’t reflect reality. He was hiding in a cave, not sitting on the throne. While on the run, David prayed, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
David was not yet set free. He was writing these words while on the run, but he spoke to God as if freedom had already happened. This reflects a healthy perspective when facing stress. David saw God as the source of his pending salvation. Thus, he praised Him in advance. David knew what God was going to do. So do you.
God will deliver you.
We will all experience stress, sorrow, loss, heartbreak, and tragedy. When we face these, we want to be set free immediately. Our instinct is to desire instant deliverance. However, God does not always work according to our schedule. The Israelites waited 40 years before they came into the Promised Land. Abraham waited 100 years before the birth of his son. Jesus was dead for three days before the resurrection. Please understand that deliverance can take some time, but God will be with you every step of the way.
Stress makes us feel as though things must work out immediately. Whereas, faith assures us that everything will work out in God’s timing. God will deliver you. It might not happen in an instant; however, it will be when you need it most. Trust God’s timing.