Psalm 41 describes God’s care, “in the day of trouble the Lord delivers himl the Lord protects him and keeps him alive“. Even during this time of difficulty with Absalom, with David’s enemies waiting for him to die, whispering about him, his close friend betraying him, David relies on God. “I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me”.
David continues these thoughts in Psalms 42-43. Four times he refers to his soul being “cast down“, as he paints a picture of inner turmoil. “I say to God, my rock: why have you forgotten me?” and then later “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God“. Again, “you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?” followed by “I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy“.
We can be encouraged when we consider a faithful man like David struggling with daily life, with great trials and inner conflicts. Yet we know that David “found favour in the sight of God”, as can we, if we also war against the influence of sin in our lives.