Daily Devotional for Thursday, September 29

Sustained by the Lord 

Can you imagine fleeing for your life because your own son is trying to kill you? David found himself in absolute despair as he fled for his life and realized his only option would be to kill his own son unless God intervened. This Psalm is the deep groanings of a hurting father as he cries out to his Heavenly Father for help. 

I have never faced the circumstances that David faced. But I have walked through bitter pain and sat in deep dark valleys where it seemed the light of day would only reveal more heartache and pain. I do not wish to repeat those days, nor would I wish for you to endure them. However, I would like to continually experience the sweet fellowship with God that I experienced in those dark days. 

Like David, I have felt that there is no help for my circumstances and no relief from my sorrows. Like David, I have cried out to the Lord, and He heard me and gave me rest. I recall days when I mustered every ounce of strength so I could just get out of bed and take the children to school. Then, I would return home to sit under the tree with my Bible open just hoping to find some glimmer of strength or direction. 

I too can declare with David, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (verse 3). When I had no strength to carry on, the Lord carried me on His shoulders. When I had no hope for my circumstances, God reminded me that He alone is my hope, no matter the outcome of my situation. There is help in God. He sustained me; He will sustain you.

REFLECTION: No matter the pain and heartache that you face in the darkest valleys of your life, there is hope in God. He will sustain you.

Steven Ridings