Guarding our hearts in times of trouble

Solomon once wrote “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  (Proverbs 4:23)

This is always true, of course, but especially in times of trouble.  And Solomon’s father David certainly had his share of it.

Yet in his times of trouble, we can see why God called him a man after his own heart.

He starts out the psalm by crying out for God’s help.  And in doing so, we see where he placed his trust.  Not in his own wisdom and strength to get him through his problems.

Rather, he said,

 I put my trust in you.  (Psalm 86:4)

Then he turns his thoughts to the nature of the God in whom he trusted.  He prayed,

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.  (5-7)

In other words, “In spite of my problems, I know that you care for me.  And that you are good.  What’s more, I believe you will answer me when I call.”

I suppose as Christians, we should all believe these things, but when we’re facing trials, it’s easy for doubt to creep into our hearts.  But despite his problems, David held fast to these truths.

He then focused on the greatness of God.  On how God was so much greater than his problems.  He sang,

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.  (8-10)

After focusing on God’s greatness, David turned to his own heart.  And he prayed,

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  (11)

The new NIV (which to be honest, I don’t particularly care for — bring back version ’84, Zondervan!) puts it, 

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness.

I think this verse is so important as we face trials in our lives.  Life’s problems can tend to cause our hearts to fray and unravel.

But David prays in the midst of trial, “Lord, teach me your way.  Give me a heart that’s undivided.  A heart that’s united (NASB) in its desire to follow you.  May I walk in your truth and trust in your faithfulness in spite of all I’m going through.”

That’s the attitude we need to have too.  To never lose focus or trust in God.  But to have a heart that’s totally united in its desire to follow him.

Let us be like David, constantly focusing on God and his goodness and his faithfulness toward us, even in times of trouble.  Like him, let’s continue praising him singing,

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me.  (12-13)