When our heart is connected with the Father, a cry out can easily turn into a cry to Him. This time of despair can be fruitful in the spirit. It can connect us deeper with Him. We see the fruit as greater closeness and dependence on Him. We see this over and over throughout the book of Psalms.

 

Right off the bat in Psalms 18, David makes his alliance clear. In verse 1 he said, “I love you, Lord. You are my strength.”

We can seek strength, joy, peace, whatever the need is, in so many things. Possessions, food, other people, revenge but David found victory in finding strength in the Lord. In Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ Isaiah said, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

“I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭3‬ ‭ Through all David had been through with the Lord, he had learned that when he called on Him, help was given. God doesn’t leave us alone in our struggles. He is an ever present help. He walks with us so that our faith in Him will grow and become deeply rooted and transformed into a greater faith that cannot be moved.

I love to think of the tree root beneath a tree. The tree may be beautiful and great, but the unseen root below it is even bigger and is the very thing holding the tree in place.

As with our relationship with God. It’s the unseen root of faith that will keep us standing in the midst of chaos.

In verse 4 David said the ropes of death entangled me. Talk about a bad day. David was in a place of complete disparity. But then in verse 6 David shared the remedy. He prayed to God.

When we are in the midst of turmoil, the safest place is where God is. No matter what He has called us to, whether it is immediate deliverance or to walk through something challenging, the best place for us to be is with Him.

In Matthew 14 Peter was in the midst of a literal storm but he called out to Jesus. Peter wanted to be closer to Jesus even if it meant walking directly into a storm. On top of water! Risky! Or was it? Were the disciples safe in their boat made of wood? Or was Peter safer? He was walking hand in hand with Jesus through the storm as Jesus had taken Peter by the hand when he started to sink.

In great difficulty, we have the opportunity to walk in great hope. Our only for sure hope in God.

“The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence.” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬-‭24‬ ‭

A promise that we can also cling to. David praised the Lord for His always present help due to David’s honor and dedication to God. The Lord rewards those who do right. God’s blessings are so good and so worth the storm.

When David was in the thick of distress, he leaned into God. He could have sought revenge, but instead sought the Lord.

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬