“I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.”-Psalm 31:7
We live in a time when there are more ways to communicate than ever before. Many have computers and tablets to communicate with one another. Most people today have cell phones in which there are countless apps that have been designed for the purpose of better communication. We can text on our phones and make calls virtually anywhere from our phones. We can snap, tweet, direct message, video chat, you name it - there are a plethora of ways to interact with each other. With all of this in mind, you would think we would have a greater sense of community, connectedness, and camaraderie than ever before. Yet, sadly the opposite seems true. A variety of reports and statistics show that loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and isolation seem higher than ever before. Still, there is hope. For there remains One who does care, One who sees us, One who loves like none other. And He desires to communicate with us!
King David had a full, crazy life. He had many highs and lows throughout his days. In fact, David encountered more troubles and hardship than most of us ever will. His very life was threatened by King Saul (who preceded him) because of jealousy. No doubt about it, David lived through much stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. To understand the ups and downs of his life, just read the many Psalms he prayed. Yet, in the thick of all of the pain and pleasure, the highs and lows, David came to understand and experience the truth that God was there, that God cared. God helped David to perceive that He was listening, ready to speak, and guide. In Psalm 34:4, David expressed, “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” We find many Psalms in which David cried out to God in anguish. And God answered, bringing the help, assistance, and peace that He alone could bring. Because of that, David had cause for joy, reason for rejoicing. David saw firsthand that God cared! Thus, he prayed: “I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.”
Friends, no matter what is going on in our lives or around us, we can know and trust this truth — God sees us! He understands our troubles much better than we do. He cares. Let that sink in. HE CARES! Here’s how it's put in 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.” This is fact! What a marvelous revelation about God and His character! Because He cares, we can and should often hand over our worries and concerns to God in prayer. And He alone can handle all our anxieties. In Matthew 11:28, we read the most comforting words that can ever be found: Jesus reiterates the truth of His care by saying, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Does any truth comfort our souls more than this?
God loves us with an unwavering love. This is who God is. Let’s soak in this promise, remember it, and count on it! No one else can offer this. God sees us. He understands our troubles and anguish. Let’s run to Jesus daily and find rest. Like David, might we rejoice in God’s unfailing love, for He sees us and cares.
Cheer up, friends!
-Scott