How Big are Your Circumstances?
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:7-8 NLT
So, let’s talk about this. Sometimes circumstances seem so much bigger than they are, right? In the moment, it’s overwhelming, and catching a breath seems impossible.
In hindsight, maybe they don’t seem so big after the fact, but by golly in the moment? It seems bigger than what’s handleable.
My last week has been insanity. We put my husband’s father in a memory care home, dealt with super fun ministry issues, and prepped for the c-section for our beautiful baby girl. Any one of these things may have been doable on their own, but as a group, I didn’t think we’d make it through the week.
I felt surrounded by my troubles.
Have you been there?
DeeDee Here- I’m going to jump right in this spot. Our sweet Mel was working hard to finish this post before she had to go to the hospital to deliver her beautiful baby girl. However, as you can see from above, life went a little crazy. So, I want to finish this post on her behalf.
If you’ve followed along with our posts or know Mel personally, you know how hard this pregnancy has been for her. There have been so many ups and downs and even some sideways turns. The circumstances have certainly seemed beyond comprehension.
Baby girl made her arrival and in Aunt DeeDee’s eyes she is beautiful and wonderful. However, even Aunt DeeDee is struggling a bit. So many prayers and beseeching and begging have taken place over the last nine months. Begging God that the doctors were wrong, or that He would miraculously heal this baby from all that the doctors have said would be wrong with her health wise. I don’t know why God chose to not physically heal her of some of her ailments. It’s okay for us to not understand God’s plans or why He chooses to act in certain ways. It’s okay for us to feel like we are drowning in our confusion and heartache. It is even okay to be frustrated with God. But we can’t stay there. We have to feel it, acknowledge it, then move on. Obviously with God’s help. The same can be said for when life’s circumstances feel overwhelming and all consuming.
David talks about a lot in this short chapter, but he doesn’t start with venting about his circumstances, instead he starts with exalting God.
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Psalm 138:1-3 NLT)
I give thanks with all my heart.
I will sing your praises.
I worship.
I praise your name.
David wasn’t just saying “hey, thanks God for being awesome, can you fix my issues now?”
David jumps in and gives God the honor and praise He is due. He is due our unending worship no matter what earthly circumstances or troubles are taking place. God is Creator and Sustainer even when life circumstances try to tell us otherwise. By praising Him, we are also reminding ourselves of His goodness and strength when we feel like we are drowning in the stresses of this world.
Then David continues by saying how all people, even the powerful, will praise and worship God.
Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great. Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. Psalm 138:4-6 NLT
The Lord is great, in glory, splendor, and honor, and also in his ways. I love how David says that every king will thank the Lord as they hear His words. Kings represent the highest power on earth, and even they praise God for his greatness and care for the humble.
Finally
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:7-8 NLT
“I am surrounded by troubles”- not when or if. God already knows all of the circumstances that surround us. He knows our troubles, our anxieties, and the things that seem to crush us. But he also will protect us! Protect our physical bodies? Maybe not, but He has already claimed victory over sin. And, if you are in Jesus, He has sealed you for eternal life. What better protection could we imagine??
“The Lord will work out His plans for my life.” His plans. Not my plans. His plans are so much better, even when I struggle to understand them. Even when I try to buck against them. His plans are for our good and for His glory. Are they always easy? Nope. Are they exhausting? Sometimes. Are they worth it? Absolutely. Why? Because His love endures forever. Period.
So how big are your circumstances? Are you struggling today? Do you feel like you just can’t catch a break? Do you wonder why God chooses to act in certain ways? Are you overwhelmed with life? Maybe you are in a season of refining. Or maybe not. Either way- you can praise God today for who He is and you can know that He will work His plan out for you- because His love never ends.