Crisis Management
Opening Prayer
“You are my refuge” (4). Remember the ways God has proved himself your refuge. Thank him now.
Read PSALM 31:1-24
[1] For the director of music. A psalm of David. In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. [2] Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. [3] Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. [4] Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. [5] Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. [6] I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD. [7] I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. [8] You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. [9] Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. [10] My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. [11] Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends- those who see me on the street flee from me. [12] I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. [13] For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. [14] But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” [15] My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. [16] Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. [17] Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. [18] Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. [19] How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. [20] In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. [21] Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. [22] In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. [23] Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. [24] Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Where does David find hope in this crisis (6,14)?When a crisis occurs, what do we do? Who do we turn to? David turns to God in prayer. Notice how he reminds himself of God’s character and faithfulness (1-5,17,19-23). It is his way of putting his troubles into perspective and seeing them dwarfed by the power and goodness of God (2,19). In times of crisis we need to talk truth to ourselves as David does.
Prayer isn’t about getting the right religious words in the right order. David’s prayer is a roller coaster of thoughts and emotions (10-13,15-18). We can be totally honest and open with our heavenly Father. God sees our trouble and hears our cries (7,22).
Once we have expressed our thoughts and feelings, trust is our next step (14). David’s trust is an act of the will and the heart as he places his troubles in God’s hands and waits for his solution, his justice, his deliverance (5,6,14,15). Trusting God is not a one-time event, it is saying, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, “You are my God. My times are in your hands.”
Apply
You may be facing a crisis where you long for God to act. Talk honestly with God. What would you like him to do?
Closing prayer
Lord, whenever I face times of stress or crisis, help me to remember Your faithfulness and trust in You.
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