And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, LORD [Jehovah], hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
(Psalm 9:10, KJV)
This verse carries with it a wonderful promise for those who seek Jehovah1 and put their trust in Him: He will not forsake them.
But what does this mean to “not forsake them?” First, let us look at another encouraging verse from Deuteronomy:
“And the LORD [Jehovah], he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, KJV)
Here we see “not forsaking” being linked with “going before,” “being with,” and “not failing.” These promises were especially needful and encouraging to the Israelites who were preparing to enter the promised land where they would then be surrounded by enemies that were bent on their destruction. God also spoke similar words directly to Joshua after the death of Moses to strengthen and encourage him.2
Psalm 9 is a short read, but is filled with encouragement regarding how God ultimately saves His people from the wicked and their schemes.. The psalm starts with praising Jehovah and speaking of His marvelous works,3 and midway through, repeats this theme with similar language of praising Him and declaring of His doings to other people.4
What are His doings and His marvelous works? The verses between and after these markers tell us the details. These details also align with the context of Deuteronomy 31:8. These verses speak of God’s being a refuge for His people5 and defending them when their enemies have set out to destroy them.6
In a final sense, we will see an ultimate fulfillment of this when God judges the wicked7 and saves His people for eternity through Jesus Christ.8 Seasons of persecution against the church have occurred throughout the centuries. In such cases, this final fulfillment likely served as a source of encouragement.
It is also true that Jehovah delivers the “poor and needy from him that spoileth him.”9 This principle is one that we can see played out in our day to day lives as we put our trust in the only true10 and living God.11
These times have a way of building and shaping our characters in ways that they could never otherwise be shaped. They have a way of drawing us nearer to God12 than we would be if we only had times of ease and comfort. They have a way of turning us away from unhealthy worldly attachments that would stifle our spiritual growth.13
Ultimately, however, when the circumstances have passed and we have trusted in, sought after, and cried out to God with our whole hearts, we find the principles described in Psalm 9 to be true. Our enemies will have been turned back, Jehovah will not have forsaken us, and the destruction that was desired upon us will have been stopped by the almighty hand of God.
When we have kept our eyes on God and surrendered fully to Him, by grace through Jesus Christ we can say as Paul said:
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–10, KJV)
So, brothers and sisters, let us be encouraged when difficulty comes and when others or spiritual forces of darkness have set themselves against us to crush us,14 that our God will be our refuge and strength.15 He will deliver us from all our fears,16 and will turn that which was meant for evil into something that is for good.17 Though immediate circumstances may be overwhelming or appear hopeless, we serve a faithful God18 with whom nothing is impossible.19
God Bless,
Charles
