Joy in trouble

This Psalm finds David running from Saul. He comes to the mountain of Maon in the Judean wilderness. David is on one side of the mountain and he discovers that Saul is on the other side. Saul is attempting to kill David because knows that God has chosen David to be the king. Saul, foolish again, believes he can ignore God's will and take matters into Hs own hands.
Saul's forces encircled David until he thought that death was inevitable. Just when it appeared that escape was impossible a messenger came and shouted to Saul, "Philistines have invaded the land." This diverted Saul's attention and David was spared once again. (1 Samuel 23:23-29)
During this time of tension David wrote the words of Psalm 16. Notice the prayer in verse 1, "Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
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Even in a time of adversity and fear David could rejoice. Look at verse 9 where David said, "No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety."
There are days I find myself thinking like the foolish Saul - maybe I need to take matters into my own hands, and if that happens, oh what a mess! The times I rest and rejoice in God, even when it seems things are unbearably awful, He brings me peace.
The pleasurable distractions of the world may take my mind off my troubles, but the only the Lord Jesus can give me joy in my troubles. Of course, deliverance from trouble brings happiness, but our wonderful Savior gives joy and peace in our troubles.
Thank you, Lord!

Created almost 3 years ago