Gospel Reflections #925: The Greater the Trial, The Greater is His Presence

Psalm 9:1 "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

"With my whole heart" feels less like mere formality and more like directing one's entire being—emotion, intellect, and will—towards God.

David, the psalmist, declares, "I will rejoice and be glad in you," even amidst difficult circumstances such as being surrounded by enemies. This signifies not a fleeting state of happiness, but a deep joy of the soul rooted in God's unchanging nature (righteousness and mercy).

Psalm 9 centres on the themes of God's righteous judgement and salvation for the oppressed.

The author confesses unwavering trust even in present hardship, recalling God's past victories and protection.

It seems we too can only truly encounter God through trials and suffering.

And by reflecting on that experience of meeting God there, the peace found in His presence, and the hope discovered not in ourselves but in Him, our trust in God grows more assured.

It is said that the theme of the Psalms is that man suffers and God provides salvation.

Therefore, our trials and sufferings can be seen as great opportunities to gain greater assurance in God.

We often cry out to God for help. Yet, when we experience God at work, when we experience God guiding us without abandoning us, we should offer thanksgiving and praise wholeheartedly and boldly.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.