Psalm 31:19-24 “Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men! In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues. Praise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvellous loving kindness in a strong city. As for me, I said in my haste, ‘I am cut off from before your eyes.’ Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you. Oh love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.”

But who is truly faithful? Are we? All the time? No, that’s why we have to rely on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for our relationship with God. It’s because of Him that we are saved, and it’s through Him we experience numerous blessings in this life in anticipation of full blessings in the life to come. Truly, great is God’s goodness for what he has laid up for us! However, we will escape a lot of trouble in this life, and escape the discipline of God, if we do our best to be faithful in the here and now.

Even though we do still face difficulties in this life, God lets us know that they happen for a reason. Have you ever truly thought about all of the things that could happen, that don’t, because of our relationship with God? If He truly shelters and hides us, our secure dwelling place isn’t necessarily just future! Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.

For additional worship: My Hope is in the Lord (Sanctus Real)