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By Tyson Thorne

January 3, 2019
 

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King David was no stranger to surprising circumstances. On multiple occasions he found himself either on the run, or warring against surrounding nations. Feeling like the sword of Damocles was waiting to drop on him, it appeared from his perspective that God was no where to be found. Most of us have been there. Probably not running from those who want to murder us our dealing with a national crises, but we've had relationships that fail, declining health, or situations at work that threaten our career. We find ourselves in situations beyond our control and feel helpless as a result.

Whatever our distress, God sometimes seems strangely absent. Such times are like a tidal wave, when the sea goes out and all that surrounds us is miles of sandy beach. All our support structures disappear and seems lost. Then, just when we think the ocean will never come back, it comes rushing in as a great wave full of power and strength. Likewise, God comes to our rescue when it seems he's left us all alone and there are no signs of his ever coming back. When he does sweep in, it is with strength and power.

During one such circumstance David penned the first two verses of Psalm 43:

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation;
O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
For You are Elohe Mauzi (the God of my strength);
why have You rejected me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Why does God do that? Why does he disappear from view and rescue us only when, by all appearances, everything is lost? For two reasons.

First, because his strength is best revealed through our weakness. Saint Paul reveals this truth in a way that I think David would approve of, "But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong." Jesus said something similar, though a bit more bluntly in John 15.5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing."

Second, because he loves us. Sometimes — okay, frequently — God's people fall into unhealthy perspectives. When we live under God's blessing it is easy to take the credit for ourselves and to let our relationship with God lapse. We forget that he is our strength, our Elohe Mauzi. Sometimes God allows us to get in over our head so we will recognize our need for him. If God didn't care about you, he wouldn't bother. God does care, though. He loves you and wants you to want his fellowship, not just his blessings.