Read Psalm 54.
What's next when your back is against the wall?
One of my earliest "back against the wall" days happened at HEB, the beloved south Texas grocery chain. As a 5 year old, I had the privilege of accompanying grandma on a trip to the store. After wandering the aisles of quality products at affordable prices for a few minutes, I looked up and noticed grandma was nowhere to be found. The full range of toddler emotions rang out in unison: "Is that her?", "where am I?", "I don't like this", "I want to go home". Grandma wasn't found for another 10 minutes.
We have in between moments with God as well. David shares one of his in Psalm 54.
Over time our Shepherd teaches us, or in this case shows us, a way forward when what we see frays our hope and anchors our doubt.
David's path is clear. His feet never move - the troubles don't change. What does move is his heart. To start, David is charged with finding his heart. He finds it in distress then slowly walks it back to something solid.
In faith circles, it's hard to admit we're distressed. Until we express our posture of "Where are you", "I don't like this", "I want to go home", it's difficult to move forward.
David asks the hard question - "Help, where are you?"
He doesn't stop there.
After admitting to his anxiety, he points the eyes of his heart upward. Beyond the frustration there is a relief that there is something to lean on other than himself.
The lay theologian Bill Withers said it best, "We all need somebody to lean on." As limited personalities, we need somewhere to go. David goes to God's character, remembering He is a helper and sustainer of his soul.
Having found firm footing in God's character, David can take action. He has a reason to hope.
Again, he doesn't stop there.
He responds to the hope. His concerns are true, but they are not the most true.
David looks at the character of God and points his heart with praise and thanksgiving.
While your troubles may not change, I pray that this week you imitate David during your own in between moments. Help your heart. Own the frustration, remember God's track record, and respond to the truth that is more real than your immediate perception.
And when your back's against the wall, find The Somebody to lean on.
- Daniel
Psalm 54