Xanthe Hancox

When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’      your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me,    your consolation brought me joy.  Psalm 94:18-19

The author of this psalm declared that if God didn’t rescue him there was no one else who would. Some believe King David wrote this psalm. This is a good guess, because David found himself in danger of death many times and only escaped because God came to his rescue.

David or not, the psalmist was plagued by tangled, confused, and anxious thoughts. He turns to God for help and is supported more than he could have imagined. The encouragement God provides is so intensive and so uplifting that he has been led, not only to be consoled, but to be delighted. This speaks of a transcending comfort that is powerful and substantial enough to reverse our normal inclination toward worry or fear.

God is our comforter, sustainer, and Lord. Only he can bring consolation, comfort and delight to our restless and discouraged souls. So let's turn to him, honestly confessing both our sins and our sorrows. Let's ask him to take our anxiety away and restore the passion, the joy, and the confidence of our salvation.

This psalm inspired a young German composer, Julius Reubke, to write the "Sonata in C minor (94^th Psalm)" which he completed shortly before he died of tuberculosis at the age of 24. I think it’s a wonderful piece of organ music, and you can find it on YouTube here.

Prayer: Lord, in the noise and confusion of many thoughts burdened by many concerns, I need your comfort and peace. I ask for your presence and your grace. Amen.