It’s possible to be in a bad place and in a good place at the same time. You can be in a bad place situationally, but be in a good place spiritually. Such was the case with David in Psalm 31. He most likely was on the run from Saul when he wrote this psalm. As David hid himself in the mountains of Judah, he prayed,
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge….
Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me. (Psalm 31:1-3)
Being in desperate circumstances, David strengthened his soul through prayer. Though he was in a bad place situationally, he was in a good place spiritually. The same can be true of us if he will take a few cues from David.
His confidence
As indicated by the verses above, David’s confidence was in God. He looked to the Lord as his refuge and his rescuer. When David was in trouble, he immediately prayed, “In you, O LORD, do I take refuge.” Prayer was his first response rather than his last resort. Instead of focusing on the circumstances around him, David fixed his eyes on the God above him.
David’s trust in God must have made an impression on his son Solomon, who wrote, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught” (Prov. 3:25-26). Trust in God, and you won’t get tripped up by trouble when it comes.
His Commitment
“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God” (Ps. 31:5). David sees himself as a dying man, so desperate are his circumstances. Yet what does he do? He commits his soul to God who gave it, and to whom at death the spirit returns. David is willing to die if God so ordains it. He puts his very life into the Lord’s hands.
The first part of this verse is familiar to us because our Lord Jesus, the greater David, uttered these words from the cross as he voluntarily laid down his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Our Lord is indeed the faithful God who has redeemed us by his own blood. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Romans 8:31-39). We can commit our souls to him.
Matthew Henry wrote, “Our outward afflictions should increase our concern for our souls.” Why? Because of the power of Christ within us, and the eternal reward that awaits us. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies, are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them all and will last forever!” (2 Cor. 4:16-17 NLT).
His comfort
“I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place” (Ps. 3:-8).
Circumstantially, David was in a tight spot. But spiritually, David was in a “broad place.” As believers in Christ, we too walk in safety, security, and freedom. This experiential reality not only comforts us but also causes us to “rejoice and be glad.” There is no better place to be!
So, yes, you can be in a bad place and yet a good place at the same time. God has you, so put your hope in him!