2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
I cannot read this psalm without singing it in my head. When things are at my lowest, this is the psalm I turn to. I have even chosen it for my funeral because I want my children to hear that they, too, should not be afraid.
Evil can come at us in unexpected ways and not always from evildoers. A flash flood, a fire, an earthquake, a car accident, sudden illness or the death of a loved one can be seen as evil. Although all of these bring pain, some can even be seen as bringing “evil” in the sense of becoming homeless, losing all your possessions, not knowing what the future will bring. Of course, sometimes we can be wronged by someone who is jealous or hateful.
Through all these things, we need to look to God as our light and salvation. If God is the strength of our lives, we can have hope. We can understand that whatever we face during our time on earth, this is not the end. There is some place better waiting for us. A place of everlasting love and joy! Where there will be no pain or suffering! We can feel secure in the knowledge that this inheritance will be ours as long as we keep God first in our lives by following his Son, Jesus, and living as his faithful servants. We can have the trust that David had as he wrote this psalm as well as the confidence in the afterlife that he longed for.
Good and gracious God, you inspired your king, David, to write of his confidence in you. I’m sure that it has comforted many people, including me, through the centuries. Thank you for the gift and the reminder of your presence in times of trial. Amen.
