The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:9-10)

Looking at the Scripture overall, it becomes clear that God doesn’t care for bullies which is why David said, “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed.” On multiple occasions the Scripture records that, when His people are under the yoke of a wicked oppressor, at a specific time He begins to move and deliver them. That is not to say they don’t suffer — they do. Oftentimes the suffering is allowed to provoke them to cry out for deliverance. As David wrote in another psalm: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18).

The term “contrite spirit” is also translated as “crushed spirit,” meaning that the LORD is very sensitive to the cries of those whose spirit has been crushed by the circumstances of life, and especially when it is due to the unrighteous actions of others. If anyone knew for certain that the LORD hears the cries of His people, it was David. His life story is filled with situation after situation where God’s hand of deliverance can be clearly seen, particularly during those times when David was on the receiving end of abuse and oppression. But David put his trust in the LORD and, as he said, was not forsaken.

Our life may not be as dramatic as David’s, but very few of us escape the pain and suffering that comes with living in this fallen world. Everyone, at some time or the other, will be subjected to unfairness, abuse and perhaps even find ourselves buckling under the weight of oppression. Trouble, in whatever form it may take, given ample opportunity may crush our spirit and break our heart, but the LORD — and not other distractions — is our tower of strength. During those seasons of distress, He is our refuge and source of comfort — those who trust in Him will not be disappointed and certainly will not be forsaken.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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