In the midst of even urgent crisis, we can pray and give thanks

By Dean Collins

“Strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life.” This was David’s description of his circumstance as he prayed to God to save him by his mighty name. This is not the only time the psalmist faced an urgent situation. Reading through 1 and 2 Samuel and Psalms we find many times David’s circumstances demand God’s rescue.

If you are in the middle of an urgent situation, it may not be your first rodeo either. And you have probably figured out, as I have, that even though we know God will neither abandon nor reject us, we wonder when or if he will show up to help us this time. The enemy loves to plant seeds of doubt around us in times of crisis to interfere with what Scripture teaches us about prayer.

Thanks and sacrifice

At the beginning of each year, I ask God to give me Scriptures and prayers to guide me in the coming year. This year I chose six passages I have read, quoted, and prayed at least once a day. One of the six passages is in Philippians 4: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” It seems that David and Paul are in agreement on prayer. It is not only important to take all matters to God, but we are to appeal to our Father with thanksgiving and confidence.

In times of crisis or urgency, I find it is easy to forget gratitude. The urgency of today’s crisis might be so great that we fail to remember how many times and ways God has blessed us, saved us, and delivered us before. But Psalm 54 gives us a great example of David’s urgent prayer for vindication and rescue. Ruthless men seek his life. These enemies do not care about God and are out to destroy David, his reputation, and his kingdom.

But note that after David’s urgent cry to God for help, he tells God he will bring a free-will offering as a sacrifice and will give thanks to God’s name because God is good and has delivered him from every trouble. David reminds God and himself that God is triumphant all the time.

Thanks and confidence

We may sometimes know why our situation is urgent. We may sometimes even be able to identify a person who is working to bring harm to us and the people we love. It is important to remember that flesh and blood are not our real enemies. The spiritual battle that we cannot see is always going on, according to Paul in Ephesians 6:12. The people in the storyline are simply pawns in the enemy’s plans to discourage us and interrupt our kingdom mission. Both Paul and David demonstrate the importance of fighting spiritual battles with spiritual weapons and not getting anxious about what we can see with our eyes. Our job is gratefully to appeal to the one who sees the bigger picture and has already demonstrated his power over death itself.

David prays in the midst of the crisis and is desperate for God to rescue him. But he also prays with thanksgiving and victorious confidence. David prays as if God has already rescued him: “For he has delivered me from every trouble and my eye has looked in triumph over my enemies.” David’s confidence in God is shared by Paul. That is why Paul can say, “and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Father, in times of crisis and desperation we often forget how many ways and times you have rescued us before. Forgive us. Forgive our faulty thinking to suppose that you will not help us again. Increase our faith in you that you already see our challenges and by the power of the resurrection will bring ultimate victory to us. May your will be done in us today. We declare with David that you have delivered us from every trouble. And we come to you in agreement with Paul, fully trusting that your peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as we wait to see what you will do next. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 54:1-7 ESV

Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash
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