Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me
Psalms 94:18-19 - In our New Testament world, Jesus Christ is the source of comfort and peace to those who believe.
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“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Psalms 94:18-19 NIV
For much of civilization, walking has been the primary mode of transportation. It’s not surprising that the psalmist chose the term “My foot is slipping” in the first verse of this Psalm, as that was a common occurrence for the ancient Jewish people. Slipping, particularly on a mountainous or muddy trail, is a moment when one feels unstable and vulnerable. Here and in several other scriptures, this metaphor is symbolic of a loss of security and stability, both physically and spiritually. While the psalmist may not have been literally stumbling on a path somewhere, he was feeling as if he was succumbing to sin or experiencing a time of overwhelming troubles.
Fortunately, he knew that God’s help was needed to stay on the path of righteousness, and from his words here — “your unfailing love, Lord, supported me” — we know that he was aided by the Lord in his times of trial. We’ve seen the Hebrew word translated here as “your unfailing love” before. It is חֶסֶד (ḥeseḏ), a noun that is more accurately translated as “goodness, kindness, faithfulness”.
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s love and commitment to His people is demonstrated even when they seemingly don’t deserve it! Think of His provision of manna and quail to the people of Israel in Exodus 16 after they have been grumbling about not having enough to eat. In that story, the manna continues to appear even after the people fail to follow the Lord’s command to only gather enough for one day. God wants a loving relationship with His people, and He demonstrated it many times in His Old Testament interactions with Israel. We see that love fully expressed in New Testament times in Jesus Christ:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The psalmist’s admission that the Lord “supported me” is an example of God acting as a refuge and source of strength for all who believe in Him. In the Gospel of Matthew (and elsewhere in the New Testament), Jesus reiterates this eternal support by the loving God: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:18 NIV)
Anxiety has been part of the human experience since Adam and Eve first sinned (see Genesis 3:10 for the first mention of being afraid). We are distressed by things that happen to us, and worry about things that may or may not happen in the future. National Institutes of Health findings show that about 19.1% of Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder in a given year, so it’s a huge modern problem. In the time of the Israelites, not only did the people have personal tribulations to feel anxious about, but their land was constantly being invaded and they faced exile in other nations.
The psalmist, though, finds comfort and peace (“consolation”) in the presence of God and the assurance that He always keeps His promises. Through faith in God his anxieties vanished, replaced by joy!
Charles H. Spurgeon eloquently described how God’s consolation in the face of anxiety can create this joy (from Enduring Word):
“How sweet are the comforts of the Spirit! Who can muse upon eternal love, immutable purposes, covenant promises, finished redemption, the risen Saviour, his union with his people, the coming glory, and such like themes, without feeling his heart leaping with joy?” (Spurgeon)
In his epistle to the Philippians, the apostle Paul spoke of the same joy that the psalmist captures here, saying “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
In our New Testament world, Jesus Christ is the source of comfort and peace to those who believe. He fulfills the promises of God, bringing support and consolation to those in uncertain circumstances.
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Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer comes from Prayerz.org:
Dear Lord, in the midst of my many thoughts and worries, I claim the promise that your comforts will delight my soul. I ask that you fill me with your peace and comfort, and help me to trust in your goodness and faithfulness. May your presence be a source of joy and strength to me, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Thank you for your unfailing love and care for me. Amen.
Just what I needed to hear and as usual, love the Spurgeon quote!