Welcome. I write these words with faith that somewhere, someone is reading them. This experience differs from preaching to a live congregation. I gain immediate insight into their reception of the message by seeing their faces and reading their body language in person.
With written words, however, I know I am reaching far beyond the physical walls of my church, yet there is no way to gauge their impact. I must proceed on faith alone. But, as we will explore today, faith is enough.
David’s Tested Faith and Restoration
This conviction forms the basis for our reflection as we turn to Psalms 61-67. I believe David wrote these Psalms after his ascension to kingship, specifically after Absalom’s rebellion. The Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament points out, David, though driven from his kingdom and having left the Ark of the Covenant behind (a poignant detail highlighted in 2 Samuel 15:25), held firm to the belief that God would deliver what He had promised.
David expected his restoration to a people who feared God—the Israelites who remained steadfast in their faith.
In Psalm 61:5, David declares, “For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”
In earlier laments, we witnessed his deep emotional turmoil and the pain of betrayal.
Yet, in these Psalms, a different tone emerges. There is a palpable shift from anguish to an acknowledgment that God has indeed heard his petitions. This renewed confidence is further emphasized in verse 8: “Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”
David, much like the Apostle Paul, praised God even when his life was in danger. Through his profound suffering, he remained steadfast in his love and adoration for the Divine.
We, too, have no reason to doubt that David would “forever sing in praise of your name.” That Name, we know, is Jesus, the one who sits on David’s throne forever, as affirmed in Psalm 61:7.
When Our Faith Feels Small
It’s challenging to praise His Name when confronted with the strife of this world. Often, our hearts cry out, “Why, God?” as we witness the destruction of what we cherish or the suffering of those we love despite our best, futile efforts to help them. We might say, “I’ll put it in God’s hands,” yet feel a sense of helplessness, as if we’ve surrendered all agency.
This sentiment resonates with my own experiences, like when I receive pleas for financial help on social media. It’s a difficult situation, as these requests could be scams, or, more painfully, genuine cries for help. In either case, the only aid I can offer is prayer. When I explain this, I pause what I’m doing to pray for them. If I believe the request to be legitimate, I will even ask our church prayer group to join me. Yet I often wish I could do more.
This is where my folly lies. In truth, there is nothing “more” than asking the Lord of the Universe—the one who created all things and knows every person intimately—to intercede on their behalf. The real question, then, is why is my faith so small that I think there could be more?
Growing Faith Through Trials
In the realm of Data Science, our aim is to provide answers derived from the data. We run analytics and craft algorithms for predictive analysis, generating graphs and forecasts. However, this process always begins not with the answers, but by asking the right question.
Today, that question is: Why do we struggle with faith?
When we ask God to increase our faith, He often leads us through valleys, just as He did with David. It was in these trials that David learned to see God’s hand at work, so that upon his return to the castle and the Ark, he knew with certainty that God had brought him through.
This is how faith grows. It is why, when I face a challenge, I strive not to believe God has forsaken me, for He promised He never would (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore, we must ask ourselves, “Why am I resisting what God is doing in my life? He is building my faith.”
We should praise Him for these transformative experiences. That way, when they are behind us, as they appeared to be for David in that moment, our praise for Him can be even greater. We are called to look at the troubles in our lives, acknowledge them, and then thank God for His unwavering presence. We praise Him. He is there with us, ready to carry us through these challenging days.
Tomorrow, we will read Psalms 68-70.
Citations in Chicago Style:
Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: Keil, Carl Friedrich, and Franz Delitzsch. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Translated by James Martin. Vol. 5, Psalms. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1869. (Note: Specific page numbers or volume details for Psalms 61-67 would make this even more precise if available in your source).
Biblical References:
2 Samuel 15:25 (NIV).
Psalm 61:5 (NIV).
Psalm 61:7 (NIV).
Psalm 61:8 (NIV).
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV).