2Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57

Distress? Taken Care Of

How does God feel about the distress of His people?  How does He feel about our distress when we cry out to Him, because evil seems to be winning?  Sometimes as a trial seems to drag on we may wonder, “Where are you Lord?”  Today we are reminded what actually happens when in our distress, when evil seems to be winning, we call upon the Lord.  When we cry out, and our cry enters His ears… 

Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. (2Samuel 22:8)

Our Lord is angry when we face this kind of distress, where evil seems to be winning.  And that anger is described very specifically and graphically in the next eight verses showing to us just how much this affects Him.

The good news for us, personally, is that in the midst of this anger He also turns His attention to us.

2Samuel 22:17  "He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.

18  He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me; For they were too strong for me.

19  They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support.

20  He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.

This good news of our deliverance is described in even greater detail than His anger, from  2Samuel 22:29 through 22:36.

Both His anger and His comfort are because of this never ending truth:

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (2Samuel 22:31)

Sure, there are going to be those times of distress. But when we choose to follow His proven word, because “we trust in Him,” then the rest of this song by David is a part of our life.  We, too, can boldly declare from our own personal experience…

“The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!”