Psalm 142:4: “Look on my right hand and see, / For there is no one who acknowledges me; / Refuge has failed me; / No one cares for my soul.”

May 27th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

David, who was probably still young and not yet king, wrote this psalm while hiding for his life in a cave. He felt completely abandoned by everyone, so he cried out to God—the correct source for help. Many believers down through the ages have received the same comfort while facing a similar situation. We think of those persecuted believers, beginning at the close of the 1st century right up to our current time, whose lives have been in such danger they’ve had to hide for their own safety. It is a very lonely place to sense that no human being really cares about your life, whether you survive or not. And in this psalm David directs the struggling reader to look toward the One who always cares for us, God Almighty.

I love the story of the little boy who was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party, of a friend who lived just a few blocks away. On the day of the party a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The boy’s father was hesitant to let his son go out in the storm. “But Dad,” the boy tearfully pleaded, “all the other kids will be there. Their parents are letting them go.” The father thought for a moment, then replied softly, “All right, you may go.” Surprised but overjoyed, the boy bundled up and plunged into the raging storm. The driving snow made visibility almost impossible, and it took him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party. As he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look out into the storm. His eye caught the shadow of a retreating figure. It was his father. He had followed his son’s every step to make sure he arrived safely. Our heavenly Father follows every step we take in our surrendered life in exactly the same way. We can trust that He is with us and watching over us no matter where we are or what we are facing.

“Father, we have placed our whole lives into Your hands for care and direction. Lead us this day we pray.”