Have you ever felt you were walking into a trap? Have you unexpectedly walked into a trap? Have you been blindsided by bad news? Where do you turn when you feel trapped or bad news comes? Do you have friends, family, or co-workers you turn to? Do you turn to God first?
Whether we expect it or not, we all will experience something bad in our lives. Whether we are prepared for it or not, something will go wrong. Whether someone intentionally sets a trap for us, or we naively fall into one, we will step into a situation that entraps us.
The question is not ‘if’, but ‘when’ will something bad happen. We need to prepare as best we can for it. We need someone we can count on. Some of us have amazing families who stand by us and will do whatever it takes to help us. Some of us don’t. Some of us have wonderful friends who will stick with us through thick and thin. Some of us don’t. Some of us work for good companies and have great co-workers who will support us in our time of need. Some of us don’t.
If we choose, all of us can go to God. But notice the Psalmist’s request. He is asking for help before he is trapped. This is preparing for bad things to happen before they happen. This is leaning on and trusting God before we have stumbled and fallen. Make no mistake about it, God will always be there, even if we grow distant or do not lean on him beforehand. The difference is, rather than reaching out in desperation after something bad has befallen us, we are proactively reaching out to God for his hand of protection and preparation. Our trust and faith in God before something bad happens may eliminate the bad, but minimally reduces its effect.
I pray we all reach out to God every day. I pray we build our trust and faith in God before something bad happens. I pray each one of us will seek God each day and make him our rock. Build your trust in God. Build your faith in God. Seek God out each day. Ask for his hands of protection. Be prepared.
Psalm 31:3-4
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Marty Pressey 