God is Our Sustainer

1 Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.

3 Arrogant foes are attacking me;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    people without regard for God.

4 Surely God is my help;
    the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5 Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
    in your faithfulness destroy them.

6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
7 You have delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

– Psalm 54

Are you tired? Have you had a long week? a long month?

There are many moments in life that we find ourselves worn out, strung out, knocked down, discouraged, or simply about to pass out. It is in the midst of these times that when we find even a glimmering moment of rest, we will crawl into our own little space and sleep. Some of us will go out and party until you drop. Being sort of an introvert myself, I like to be alone and become like a hermit crab confined in my own space where nobody (except my wife) can get in. Some of us may be the exact opposite, we want to go out and have mindless fun and laughter so that we don’t have to think about the following Monday or project looming over our heads.

The perception of finding spiritual rest and connecting with God in these moments often seems like the most difficult thing to do, and is seen as “work” rather than a place of joy and peace. There is an illusion of “righteousness” connected with “religion” and that only those who are upwardly pious are the ones doing such things. In other words, these are people who don’t know how to have fun.

The reality is, that everyone goes through seasons of tiring and gruelling life – no matter how righteous or pious you may be, or no matter how unrighteous or irreligious you may consider yourself to be. That is plainly the hardships of our existence on earth and the truth of life we have no choice but to accept. There are exceptions for those who live truly relaxing lifestyles, but for the most part, making a living takes work and energy. But what sustains us? In the midst of hard times, when we are beaten down and a broken shell of a human being, how do we find true sustenance and ultimate joy?

Psalm 54 was written by David in a time when people were selling him out to King Saul. A time when David was likely tired of running and hearing from all sorts of places the slander of his name and paranoid of those that might be out to kill him for the bounty on his head. But in the midst of those times, and regardless of how tired he was, he clung to God and sought him out to sustain him. He worshipped him and would write beautiful Psalms such as these.

If God is the giver of life, he is also the giver of sustenance. He is the one that can bring our problems to resolve, and calm the storms no matter how loud the thunder and how hard the rain comes down on us. Hiding in our corner, or going out and mindlessly partying and getting drunk might be a way for us to escape from our issues or from the tiresome grind of our work week, or whatever conflicts that we have to face, but the fact is that when we return to the real world those obstacles are still there. It is often something we cannot change on our own strength or accord. The only real tangible solution is to lean on the very being that often seems intangible and unseen to the naked eye… God.

Today, I hope that as I also challenge myself to change the paradigm of my thinking of spending time in God’s presence as a place of peace and sustenance, that you will also the same be able to experience the joys of being with Him. Hear his Word, and know the greatness of His love and salvation for you, and I believe he will sustain you even in the most difficult of times. God is infinite, eternal, unchangeable in his power, and is always perfect. He is ultimately glorious, wise, and is the only means for justice and goodness in this world. In a sea of lies, God always remains true.

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God…. You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. -Psalm 86:8—10 and 15