No one feels happy all the time. There are plenty of times in your life when you feel tired, concerned, or anxious. You may be ill or dealing with chronic pain. You may feel discouraged or overwhelmed over situations you can’t control—or over situations you regret having created. You may be facing great loss and sorrow. In the moments—or seasons—of struggle, Psalm 9:9–10 is a passage to cling to.
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (NIV).
These verses are a powerful reminder of the good news we already know. We are not alone. We never were, nor will we ever be. Our Lord is with us in times of trouble and does not forsake those who seek Him. During the times in your life, both past and present, when you were weighed down or anxious, God was always there.
He is a refuge and a stronghold.
Often, God uses us and the ministries we are involved in or support to be a refuge for others. God uses His church, the collective body of believers, to impact individuals and communities. And through our prayers and actions, He provides for so many in need.
It’s normal to feel troubled or anxious in our lives. It is natural to experience those feelings when we are faced with struggles, losses, and discouragements. We don’t have to try to run away from or hide those feelings because we have a God who knows our emotions. Through all of it, God’s Spirit comforts us, often through His word and through His people. We can meditate on and give thanks for His truth:
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:9–10 NIV).
