Beautiful Word Devotional #296

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.

Psalm 138:7

None of us likes to walk through trouble and pain. We’d rather avoid feeling relational stress, fretting about finances, aching for a prodigal’s return, grieving the loss of a spouse through death or divorce, exhausted to the point of discouragement by an over-busy life. But in God’s kingdom economy, we grow best through adversity.

The psalmist understood this truth, acknowledging both the inevitability of trouble in our lives and the unshakeable faithfulness of God. We will walk in the midst of trouble, if not today, then tomorrow. Life has a way of pummeling us—but, according to today’s verse, God has a way of preserving us. In the midst of trials, he will preserve our lives.

Now, preserving you doesn’t necessarily mean delivering you from the trials that arise. What preserving does mean is that God walks through the troubles with you. You will indeed know his presence with you—his love, vitality, hope, and joy—in the midst of your pain.

Lord, thank you that you preserve me and walk with me through my troubles, amen.