Key Verse: “The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord.” (Psalm 9:9-10 CSB)
Have you ever felt like God has given up on you? For whatever reason, we may look at our lives and wonder whether or not God has packed up, checked out and moved on. As we see our circumstances, we may wonder where He has gone or what He’s even up to.
David was a man who experienced many troubles and hardships. Earlier in his life, the prophet Samuel had anointed him the next king of Israel. But it didn’t happen right away. In the years in between, he spent his time on the run, just trying to stay alive. King Saul pursued him constantly, trying to hunt David down to kill him.
Where was God in all of this? What about David’s anointing by God to be Israel’s king? Had God forgotten about this? Had He given up on David and moved on to ‘Plan B’?
This wasn’t how David viewed the situation. In Psalm 9, he wrote, “The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble” (v.9). While David may have been tempted to wonder about God’s presence with him or doubt that God’s plan would ever be fulfilled, in reality his experience of God was much different.
To David, God was his refuge and strength in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of his life. While everything around him was unstable and even outright dangerous at times, God was the rock upon which David could securely stand. God had not forsaken David or given up on him. He was very much at his side.
David wrote, “Those who know your name trust in you, because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord” (Psalm 9:10). Similarly, Moses told the people of Israel, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
When we face situations or seasons of trouble, trial or uncertainty, we may begin to doubt God’s presence and the goodness of His plan toward us. In those moments however, we must remember that our circumstances are not an indicator that God has checked out or moved on. His promises are sure. He will never leave us or abandon us.
Faith becomes very important in these moments. Trusting God means that no matter how we may feel or what we may be experiencing, we rest assured that God has not turned His back on us and left us on our own. He’s still very much at our side ready to be our refuge and strength in times of trouble if we choose to turn to Him.
Remember, if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you now know God’s name and He knows you. You are a child of God who stands securely and confidently in Christ Jesus. Nothing can change that. Because of this, God will never abandon you. He is still with you, working out His plans and purposes in your life, in His timing and in His way.
Will you continue to seek the Lord and trust Him today?
Prayer: God, I praise you for your promise that you will never leave me or abandon me. You are my refuge and strength in every season and in every circumstance. Fill me with fresh faith to trust your timing and your ways as I seek you today. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
