Faith in time of Crisis 17

Wignacourt Tower Fortress - St Paul’s Bay- Malta by Rev’d Paul Collings

Meditation by Dr J P Hunter

Psalm 28:1-2, 6-9. Of David. NIV translation.

¹ To you, Lord, I call;
    you are my Rock,
    do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
    I will be like those who go down to the pit.
² Hear my cry for mercy
    as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
    toward your Most Holy Place.

⁶ Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

⁸ The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

⁹ Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Meditation

This Psalm is a song of praise and thanksgiving after waiting for prayer to be answered. It is likely written by young David himself after he was anointed king age 16, v8 his anointed one, but did not become king until he was 30. In the interim he was chased through the desert by jealous and murderous king Saul. David knew what waiting was. As we wait for churches to re-open, and they will, we can take comfort from the fact that during times of trial and trouble, prayer is our best help because it keeps us in communication with God, our Rock and sure helper. Then we too, might have a heart filled with joy and a song of praise.

Prayer

Lord, I come to you from the midst of trial and trouble in expectation of your guidance and help. 

Listen to my cry for mercy and do not turn a deaf ear to me. My heart trusts in you and I am waiting for your guidance for and in my daily life. May I sense your presence in all I have to do this day. Then I will be able to sing a song of praise because you heard my plea. You answered and guided me. You became my strength and shield.  Amen.

Singing the Faith 465, verse 1+2.

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but Thou art mighty,

Hold me with Thy powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,

Feed me till I want no more;

Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,

Whence the healing stream doth flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,

Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;

Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

William Williamson (1717 – 1791)