He was there all the time
He was there all the time
Waiting patiently in line
He was there all the time

Time after time I went searching for peace in some void
I was trying to blame all my ills on this world I was in
Surface relationships used me till I was done in
And all the while someone was begging to free me from sin

He was there all the time
He was there all the time
Waiting patiently in line
He was there all the time

Never again will I look for a fake rainbow’s end
Now that I have the answer my life is just starting to rhyme
Sharing each new day with Him is a cup of fresh life
Oh what I missed, He’s been waiting right there all the time

This very old hymn of my youth comes to mind as I read the words of the Psalmist this morning. I don’t know why we worry first then pray; but we do.  When a huge expensive bill comes, harsh words from another human that brings pain, an accident that causes undue worry, or an extreme illness that takes away our current normal; we worry first then turn to God in prayer as believers.  Seek God first is our mantra; but do we?

The psalmists would be diagnosed as bipolar by today’s mental health professionals!  “Oh God, help me now, I’m going to die—Oh, there you are God!”  But when we take a fresh look upon their writings and consider how we would react to enemies of unexpected dire circumstances of our day that rob our joy momentarily; it seems to me it is the normal human response to react with fear first until our spiritual senses take over and remind us to pray to One who was, is, and always will be Sovereign, in charge, has power and authority over life itself.  Fear is real but is overcome with faith in a very real God!

It those who do not turn panic and fear over to the Lord with a resolved trust who suffers most.  For they don’t know God and do not trust that God is for them; not against them.

The Psalmist uses their everyday life or real threats then to teach us to trust in the Lord, God Almighty, now.  He is the One who is able, more than able, to help us through it all and put our feet back on solid ground.  Our faith in action, with God’s Love and Strength powering us, results in solutions for life beyond our wildest dreams! God is in charge and is always with us.  He knows, cares, and acts on our behalf. I’ve see it with my own eyes—daily!  God is there—all the time!

Psalm 54, The Message

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”

^1-2 God, for your sake, help me!
    Use your influence to clear me.
Listen, God—I’m desperate.
    Don’t be too busy to hear me.

³ Outlaws are out to get me,
    hit men are trying to kill me.
Nothing will stop them;
    God means nothing to them.

^4-5 Oh, look! God’s right here helping!
    God’s on my side,
Evil is looping back on my enemies.
    Don’t let up! Finish them off!

^6-7 I’m ready now to worship, so ready.
    I thank you, God—you’re so good.
You got me out of every scrape,
    and I saw my enemies get it.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Our natural response of fear can be overcome by a powerful spiritual response of immediate prayer to God. This is worship, too, to filter our lives through God’s Hands!  God is good and forever faithful to bend down and listen to every honest prayer we utter in the name of Jesus!  God works on our behalf even if we don’t see or feel it at the time because we can be so overwhelmed by the current circumstance. But I have learned that with the same breath that exclaims shock can be the same breath that looks up to God and cries out for help!  God knows for He knows before you knew and was already at work.  He just needs for you to know He knows and trust Him! 

Shock and fear turn immediately to praise and awe of God who we know is right beside us, knows what we are going through, and will help and lead us through it all! This is the God we trust and depend on for He is Life!  Forever! Trust Him!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Paul, Ephesians 3:20-21

Lord,

Thank you for being relentlessly patient with us, waiting for us to realize that there is nothing you cannot lead us through with your overcoming power. Faith over fear is the song we sing in your Name for our good and your glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen