I Will Not Be Shaken

I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I shall not be shaken.
-Psalm 16:8

I have set the Lord always before me. That sounds kind of churchy and odd, doesn’t it? Who talks like that? I think David was saying, “I’m keeping my focus on the Lord. I’m putting Him first and looking to Him in all things.”

We all have things in our lives that bring us to what I call the faith barrier. It’s what makes us question if God is there, if He cares about us, if He loves us, and if He really is a good, good Father. We wonder how God could let our child die (or another devastating event) if He really cares and is good. I do not have all the answers but I do know what what His Word says to be true of His character.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,
abounding in love and faithfulness.
-Psalm 103:8, Psalm 86:15

The Lord is the One who goes before you. He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed.
-Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord is our Rock. Our refuge.
-Psalm 94:22

The Lord is our hiding place, shield and hope.
-Psalms 119:114

When Job was suffering, he said, “Though you slay me, I will trust in you.” When the three guys were about to be thrown into the lion’s den, they knew God could save them but said, “But if not…”

It’s easy to praise God when things go right in our lives but it’s really, really hard to trust Him when our lives seem to be crumbling. It’s in the times of deep despair when we need to remember the Lord is always with us.

Because He is at my right hand. The right hand of God is related to the Lord’s strength, authority, and blessing. David knew the Lord was His strength and he relied on Him.

David does not write empty words. He is saying, “Lord, I am keeping my eyes on you because I have known since a young age you are faithful, loving, my strength and my rock. I trust you to lead, love and shield me. Like Job and the three guys Daniel talked about, I will trust you even when things are really bad and I don’t understand what is going on. My foundation of faith and hope is you, Lord! I will not be shaken – no matter what.”

Sweet Mama, in your time of grief when you stand in front of your faith barrier, can you pray a prayer like that? I know it’s hard but if you do, I promise you that your hope, joy, and peace will be restored.

You can say, “I will not be shaken because of you, Lord!”

Shelly D. Templin is an author, speaker and blogger that shares a message of hope – with humor. She has three daughters, a son-in- law, and a granddaughter. Shelly lives in Texas with her husband, Jack, of 29 years and their two dogs.

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