FINDING GOD IN HARD TIMES | Northstar Church

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. – Psalm 138:1-3.

Psalm 138 highlights a powerful truth about God’s faithfulness in answering prayer. King David speaks from personal experience, recounting how, when he cried out to God in a time of need, God responded. God did more than provide what David needed; He filled David with new strength, courage, and confidence to face whatever challenges lay ahead. This verse reminds us that God is not a passive observer. He is actively involved in the lives of those who seek Him. When we call upon Him, He doesn’t just hear us; He strengthens us from within, giving us the boldness to move forward with faith.

The Bible doesn’t tell us, but you can speculate that David wrote this psalm during a time of personal difficulty or when Israel was under threat. David faced countless trials, whether in the form of enemies, political turmoil, or even personal failures. Yet, in each of those circumstances, David turned to God in prayer, and this psalm reflects David’s deep trust in God’s responsiveness. He had seen firsthand that God was always ready to answer, even in the darkest of times.

We will all have failure and sorrow in our lives. But Psalm 138 reminds us that God is both near and responsive to those who call on Him. David reveals that God’s answers to prayer often go beyond the immediate request. God not only responds but also transforms us, giving us strength and courage to face whatever lies ahead.

David’s testimony here reflects the character of a loving God who is deeply involved in the lives of His children. God’s response to David’s prayer was not just to solve a problem but to fortify him with strength and courage. This reflects God’s loving desire not just to fix our circumstances but to transform us so that we can grow and thrive. His love is not passive but active, empowering us to face the world with confidence in Him.

For modern believers, Psalm 138:3 serves as a comforting reminder that God is always ready to listen to us. In times of stress, uncertainty, fear, or sorrow, we can turn to God, knowing that He not only hears us but will also empower us to face our challenges. The promise of strength and courage is especially relevant in today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world. When we feel weak, God’s presence can fill us with the boldness we need to keep moving forward.

One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that God uses pain for our good. Meaning that our biggest sorrows can result in our greatest joy. When you think about Jesus’ greatest sorrow – suffering the shame, punishment, and death for our sin, the result was great joy – the redemption of humanity and the opportunity for a relationship with the living God.

Discussion questions:

What lessons have you learned through sorrow and suffering? Have you ever experienced a time when pain sharpened your character?
Have you ever seen someone who was suffering extraordinarily but demonstrated extraordinary confidence in God? If so, how did it change the way you think about suffering and faith?