When The Going Gets Tough

November 17th, 2024

Psalm 3:1-8

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Our typical response to hardship is to move forward in our own strength. In this posture, prayer becomes a way to boost the power of our own plans rather than an exercise in trust. The psalmist teaches us what depending on God should look like.

God protects like a shield, reaches down, and picks them up. God not only hears the cry of this prayer, but answers with sustaining grace and presence.

In the middle of trouble, they cry out for deliverance. They do not pray, “God help me strike my enemies and assist me as I figure this out!” No! They understand that if God lifts up, shields, and sustains, God will also deliver them.

The cry for deliverance leads to a posture of faith in a God who answers the cries of those in crisis. We can completely depend on God for deliverance rather than ourselves. When the going gets tough, the faithful get trusting.

Author: Austin Troyer