It’s hard on us when the tide is out. But it’s not out forever!

” … the tide of battle runs strongly against me, for so many are fighting me … ”

Psalm 55:18 TLB

“God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.”

– Augustine 

Pastor Rick Warren states: “God never wastes a hurt.” And that’s really good news because we have so much in our lives that God certainly has a lot to work with.

Whether the storms in our lives are of our own making or simply products of the sinful condition of our world, or actual attacks by those around us … life can certainly be tough on us at times.

I looked through just the first twenty Psalms and found these declarations of a troubled life: I am weak … heal me, for my body is sick … I am upset and disturbed … my mind is filled with apprehension and gloom … I am worn out with pain  … death bound me with chains … floods of ungodliness mounted a massive attack against me. And then this question: How long must I be hiding daily anguish in my heart? (all quotes taken from The Living Bible)

Sounds like a narrative any of us could have shared at times.

Fighting any battle takes energy and an ongoing one can eradicate all of our resources. There are times when the tide is in and our ship’s flags flutter in the breeze indicating that all is going marvelously for us. But then the tide goes out and our ship lies on its side in the mud.

That’s where the Psalmist was in his painful analysis above. But there was more to David’s life than the ability to tell it like it is. He also knew there was something he could do to change the story from “This Is The Way It Is” to “This Is How It Can Change.”

Here is what David had proven to be true:

“The very day I call for help, the tide of the battle turns. My enemies flee!

This one thing I know: God is for me!” Psalm 56:9 TLB 

It’s been said that in every major battle throughout history there was a specific point in which the outcome of that battle was decided. It may have been a small group of men taking a ferocious stand against great odds or a poor military decision in a headquarters far away from the fighting. But at that moment it was no longer a case of who would prevail, but when it will be apparent to everyone.

That moment for us is when we call upon the Lord. And He wants us to know that He is for us, not against us.

“Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!”

Psalm 116:2 TLB