May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
- Psalm 20:1

When David wrote this psalm, he made it open with a strong first movement of blessing (as we saw yesterday).

One element of this blessing really jumped out to us: David blessed the people in the midst of distress. His blessing to them included requests for the Lord's response to their distress and protection in the midst of trouble. This tread runs through the whole first movement of the psalm.

When we spend time with the psalms, we are challenged to shift our expectations for what life with God will look like. The life with God is not a life that's free from distress. No, even the most God-filled lives will experience trouble and conflict and want. Strife stalks us all. But the psalms remind us that we're not alone.

David called out for his friends: "When you are in distress, may the Lord answer you. When you are in need of safety, may the name of the God of Jacob protect you." David didn't assume that the difficulties in life were obstacles to be avoided. Instead, he painted them as opportunities for us to see God hard at work on our behalf.

How are you viewing the obstacles that are appearing in your path this morning? Where are you receiving opportunities to experience God's blessing in the midst of your distress?