26 Aug Forsake Me Not

Psalm 138:7–8 – ⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. ⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

These are the closing words of David’s wonderful prayer contained in Psalm 138. David’s life has not been an easy one; especially here, David sees his life as being surrounded with all kinds of trouble – he’s in over his head. At the end of his rope, David turns to the only one who is able to rescue him. David looks to the only one who’s love will not fail him; he entrusts himself to the one who has his life in His hands, the Lord God himself. There, in those hands, David finds peace and hope in the troubled days he is living in. In those hands, David is safe, he is delivered; and in those hands, David knows his future lies in the hands of the one who will complete the good work begun in him. 

David’s Lord is your Lord and mine. Whatever trouble we may find ourselves in, and in whatever way we find ourselves in over our heads, you have a deliverer. You have a God who is fulfilling his purposes for you. You have the Lord God who’s love for you will never end or let you down. A cross and an empty tomb assures you of this – Jesus himself conquered David’s greatest enemy and ours – our sin and death. So now because of Christ, like David, you too can trust that God will not turn his back on you or break his promises to you.  In other words, you are safe in his hands; he is protecting, and guiding, and providing for you by his gracious hands. His love for you endures forever, and he will not forsake the work of his hands, which includes you!

My friends, let’s together pray this prayer of David. May God grant us the faith to live under, and in, and by this truth: our Lord has us in the palm of his hands. Truly, is there any better place to be? Is there anything that can snatch us out of them? Are there any better promises live by and to die in? David’s Lord answers with a resounding, “No!” You are safe; you are loved; you are not forsaken; you are mine! In Jesus Name, Amen!

-Pastor Darrin Sheek