Never get in a hurry when you don’t have to. A man in too big a hurry makes mistakes he can’t afford.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Buckskin Line)
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
–Mark 4:39 (NKJV)
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Life doesn’t always go the way we would like. For the most part, it is a series of up and downs; somethings things go smoothly while at other times the ride seems quite bumpy and full of obstacles. Our minds, being what they are, tend to remember the bumps more than the smooth ride. In fact, we are told to remember some of those hard times as a memorial. We just did that a few days ago, and yesterday we took time to remember D-Day; that day in 1944 when Allied forces came ashore at Normandy. Hitler’s might Reich was on the way to defeat. It would be another year, but the end was in sight.
David saw that his enemies had set a trap for him. The road he was to take had a deep pit, but instead of trapping David, his enemies fell into the pit. Let’s take a moment to read the second part of Psalms 57.
6 — They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah
7 — My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
8 — Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.
9 — I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.
10 — For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds.
11 — Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory beabove all the earth. (NKJV)
One of the most important things we can do is to learn that in the tough times, in perilous situations of life that we must continue to praise the Lord. Because of previous experiences, because of a relationship with God, because of God’s Word, David proclaims that his heart is steadfast. Out of that steadfast heart he sings and gives praises unto God. I like verse 8 in the New Living Translation, “Wake up, my soul!” Sometimes we have to tell ourselves to wake up. Maybe even slap ourselves a few times to help us get a proper perspective on the day.
Every day is a new day–wake up! God’s mercies are new every morning–wake up! He has given another day to you–wake up! Face the day, whatever may come your way. The Lord is with you whether you are down in a cave, or upon a high summit overlooking a wonderful vista.
“My heart is fixed on thee, my God!
I rest my hope on thee alone,
I’ll spread thy sacred truths abroad,
To all mankind thy love made known.”
–Francis Wrangham