Psalm 37 is a great psalm to read in times of trouble and hardship – when “everything seems against you”!
Do not fret. Trust in the Lord and do good.
Delight in the Lord.
Commit to him. Be still before him.
Do not fret. Refrain from anger…
Wait for the Lord and keep his way.
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in times of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them, because they take refuge in him (Psalm 37, vs 39,40).
As a relatively new adult Christian (I had returned to the faith of my up-bringing aged 30) I heard a powerful sermon on this psalm at a time when I was professionally isolated, and facing workplace injustice and loneliness. I was then a trainee neurosurgeon – really a hands-on clinician who loved surgery, but was required to go into research to progress further. I joined an establishment that did not understand me – or maybe me them. The research ground to a halt and I would eventually resign, to return to clinical practice. This sermon guided me to trust.
I was out of The NHS for 15 months. We scraped together our mortgage. Our second daughter was born. I worked for an air ambulance – went all over the world – and we had just enough money to pay the bills. “Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) was our verse for the year.
I felt the call to ministry at the end of this time. “Nigel, you and Pat know me and my care. You care for people. You teach. Teach people about me.” That led to 5 years training (alongside working in A&E) and ordination to a workplace, self-supporting ministry. I have never run a church. It has been difficult at times, and lonely, but I have often found myself saying “Yes life is tough. God is here too. Be gentle with yourself. Trust in him”.
Now we are facing huge, and life changing uncertainty. With that, there’s loss of trust in the government, poor behaviour by our leaders (I know no-one is perfect, but…) and frustration. Yet we are called to wait and trust. Many people are looking at, and seeking, the hope that we have.
Dear Father God, we wait, and we worship you in Jesus name. Thank you for your provision. God please help.
Nigel
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