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“Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

Thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine

hand against the wrath of mine enemies,

and thy right hand you save me.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:

Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever:

forsake not the works of thine own hands.”

Psalm 138:7-8 (KJV)

I found this passage in the King James Version of the Bible. When I share this verse with others, I refer them to that version.

Several years ago, I heard words that saddened me. My nerves couldn’t stand any more stress. The words my husband spoke and his tone told me he was scared. I went to an old family Bible a friend had given me. I turned to the Psalms. Finding chapter 139, I started reading. My eyes wandered across the page and found the two verses above. As I re-read verse eight, I found comfort.

My attraction to this passage is the first line of verse eight, “The Lord will perfect (per-FECT) that which concerneth me.” At the time, a part of my job was to ‘perfect file’, place in date order, records of enlisted military personnel who were going to be considered for promotion; I understood the verb David used.

Most people in today’s world face several concurrent issues in their lives. If we were to compare lists, we would see a lot of the same topics: how to live on a fixed income, health concerns and costs, gasoline prices, joblessness, interpersonal relationships, the breakup of a family.

King David penned these verses. He had a lot of concerns-he feared for his life. Saul had hunted him down. His own son sought to kill him. He hid in caves to seek safety. His family life was a study on dysfunction. Yet, David knew God would bring him through these various types of turmoil.

When problems come our way, we sometime panic. This passage tells us we don’t have to. The shepherd-king reminds us that God will keep us safe, whatever the trouble. David knew God rescued him from danger.

We can ask God to show us His plan for our lives. Then we seek His guidance and follow where He leads. Whenever we have worries that consume us, the Heavenly Father takes our problems, moulds the circumstances and gives us a way to conquer or get through them.

As I write this I include myself among those who have concerns about different aspects of life. My husband and I took a trip and had our mail held at the Post Office. Today’s delivery included a letter from a medical specialist. I had a physical examination the day before we left town. It seems my primary care doctor referred me to this GI specialist, who was trying to schedule me for one of those tests. When I called her office and asked about this letter. I was told “It was on your list.” I had experienced one of these tests before and remember how I felt before, during, and after it. I was not thrilled about this. I had other tests to get scheduled but this one seemed to me to be a priority. Family history dictated I follow the advice of my doctor. I had to pray about all this.

This issue is history now. God protected me and walked through this medical procedure I perceived as traumatic. The final results will come in next week. In the meantime, as I wait, I can praise God for His mercies and His presence with me.

Dear Lord:

Thank You for Your great love for us. You care for even the smallest issue that affects us. You work on things we don’t realize You care about. We can only see what is in front of our eyes but you see all things in our path; for this we give thanks. We know You do all things out of your great grace and love. In the name of Jesus. AMEN

"Point of Reference" from Fred Price

Called To Brokenness