The life we live is not always easy. Often threats, challenges, and even injustices of various kinds come our way. In fact, it is not uncommon for these things to come from a power that is far greater than us. As believers we are invited to respond appropriately according to His word.

That is what is illustrated in our reading this time. The psalmist reflects on the situation of the ancient kingdom of Israel which was in the midst of various great nations that were pressing in and threatening them. Israel often found itself in a bind. Others were ready to invade and wipe them off the face of the earth. It is at this point that the psalmist invites his countrymen to remember that in the end, true help comes from God alone.

This was based on the covenant that had been established between the patriarchs of Israel and God. For all eternity, Israel would be His people and God would be Lord over all Israel. Thus, Israel belongs to God alone. Those who threatened and demeaned the nation were actually demeaning God. They emphatically cried out to God not to be silent and idle. It was a cry based on a firm belief in God. However, we should not read Israel's confession and conviction from the perspective of "spiritual pride", but rather the faith of a desperate people who realized that the only one who could help them was God alone.

From today's reading we learn that God is a God who can always be relied upon in any situation we find ourselves in. All the powers on earth are no match for God's power and love for His people. He is a God who is always with His people, as long as we firmly cry out and put our hope in Him. Do not be daunted and falter in the face of threats and challenges. Rest assured that God is always with us.