Hope In Troublous Times

August 19th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Psalm 91:3-6 For it is [God] who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; 6 of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

Psalm 91 is not a promise of deliverance from every difficulty in life, at least not physically. What it addresses is the comfort a child of God experiences during times of spiritual darkness, of deep depression and high anxiety. Note the colorful metaphors used by the Psalmist: the snare of the trapper… deadly pestilence… terror by night… the arrow that flies by day… the pestilence that stalks at darkness… the destruction that lays waste at noon. These are spiritual battles that the child of God faces in this world—tribulations that can cause us to question God’s goodness, to doubt our salvation, to plunge us into depression, even to suicidal thoughts. When someone we love passes away, betrays us, or rejects us outright, it hurts. When we lose a job, it stings. When our health fails, it devastates. Any one of these, or a combination of them, and it can feel like Satan is shooting fiery, deadly arrows at us with God standing by in apathy.

Psalm 91 is given to the child of God as a cold drink of water on a scorching hot day. It reminds us that although the trials of this world can be fatal, the comfort of God in the midst of them is certain. Note in v. 3 that “it is [God] who delivers you…” When Thomas, Jesus’ doubting disciple, saw the risen Lord Jesus over a week after His death, he stopped doubting and proclaimed to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). The Psalmist does likewise in v. 2, saying to Yahweh, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!” As Thomas was delivered from his skepticism, the Psalmist was delivered from his depression and angst. Likening his former state to being caught in the “snare of the trapper,” broken and without hope, the Psalmist was kindly delivered by Yahweh and the “deadly pestilence” that was his fate. There at the end of his proverbial rope, the Psalmist cried out to God, who, like an eagle swooping down to protect her eaglets under her wings, came and rescued him.

Now with God’s “faithfulness” (Heb. emeth) compared to a “shield and bulwark”—armor and protection (NLT)—the Psalmist was loudly proclaiming his worship to his protective God, saying, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!” This is of course akin to Thomas’ proclamation to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Now although the Apostle Thomas was most certainly not the writer of Psalm 91, having lived over 1,000 years later, he could certainly have authored every thought of the Psalmist. Though he doubted Jesus’ resurrection, he had been a faithful, bold disciple of Jesus, ready to die with Him (John 11:16). But after Jesus was crucified, he was depressed and likely at the end of his proverbial rope. Now, having witnessed his Lord’s death, he was devastated. That is, until he saw his risen Lord! Then he worshiped Him!

Food For Thought
We all fall on hard times, struggling with the world in which we live—from relationship problems to health issues to financial burdens, etc. Where do you go when the vise of life seems to tighten around you? Do you take drugs? Drink alcohol? Eat comfort food? Watch filth? Or, do you run to the cross of Christ through prayer? Do you seek Scripture in order to hear God’s voice? Ask yourself where you dwell on a regular basis. The promise of God regarding His faithfulness in times of our trouble is that we are protected and nourished when we dwell under His care, and only when we do. Anything or anyone else is inferior! True spiritual warriors find their refuge and protection in Jesus Christ our Lord. Is that you?