God Helps
Where do you go when your soul is troubled? Do you turn to the pleasures of this world, to friends and family, or try to flee through holiday trips and entertainment? In none of these will your soul find rest and peace. The psalmist in Psalm 116 was distressed and sorrowful, full of anxiety, anguished over the impending prospect of death (3). God was humbling him, so that he would remember that the Lord is where his true rest is (6-7). In the dangers of life, the faithful can rest in the confidence that God is good and that He has their best interests at heart (7).
The psalmist remembered that it is God’s nature to be gracious, righteous, and compassionate to His people (5). His faith did not fail and remained strong amid tribulations (10). He cried out to God, and God saved him from death, anguish, and falling into sin (8).
In response to God hearing his prayers and acting on His behalf the palmist declares his love to the Lord (1). Considering God’s goodness, he declares his faithfulness to Him as long as he lives (2). He knows that he cannot do anything to pay God back for His goodness (12). He promises to give public thanks and praise to God in the midst of the assembly (13-19). He has been humbled and joyfully acknowledges that he is a slave of the Lord. (16). Brethren, we can follow the example of this faithful saint in acknowledging God’s goodness amid trials. Instead of turning to so many other things to take our minds off our circumstances, we must turn to the Lord to truly find peace and rest. May we declare our steadfast love for the Lord the rest of our lives.