Editor’s Note: This is the fifteenth in a series of short stories dealing
with my personal interpretation of selected verses from the Holy Bible
offered under the title of “The Old Lady and Ana”.
THE OLD LADY AND ANA
15. PSALM 54:1-7 (Trust in God)
Ana listened intently, as her Uncle Fred related his problems to her father. People were spreading bad rumors about him and as a result his business had suffered badly and he was worried that he might lose it. Yet he was calm and kept saying that he was not worried and had faith that God will provide an answer as he promised in Psalm 62:
“My salvation and my honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge”.
Ana was worried, she knew her uncle was always a kind and faithful person who spent his whole life helping people and never ever said anything bad about anybody. She could not understand why people are so wicked. But she marveled at how calm he was even with all that was going on. She sought out her Grandmother, who she hoped will help her to understand.
“Gramma, can you please explain how Uncle Fred could remain so calm
and confident when so much bad things are happening to him?”
The old lady, sensing an opportunity to teach her grand daughter on the ways of the world beckoned her to come sit next to her and opening her trusted bible said:
“Let us see what God has said about trusting him in times of trouble;”
Then turning to Psalm 54 she began to read slowly and deliberately:
Save me, O God, by Your name,
And vindicate me by Your power.
Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen against me
and violent men have sought my life;
Ana sat up immediately, eyes wide open she held her grandmother’s arm and exclaimed knowingly:
“Gramma, that is exactly what Uncle Fred was saying about wicked people wanting to destroy him!”
The old lady smiled and nodded affirmatively, then continued reading:
They have not set God before them.
Behold, God is my helper;
The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
The old lady paused a while and then spoke:
“This is what your Uncle Fred was also saying. These people were not concerned about God and that is why he was not worried, for he had faith in the power of God to protect him from them”
Sensing little Ana’s concern, she continued to read from her bible:
He will recompense the evil to my foes;
Destroy them in Your faithfulness.
“You see Ana, his promise was clear. This was how he will reward his faithful. Not only will he make the bad people pay for the evil they have done, but is prepared to destroy them and what they stand for”.
Ana thought for a moment and then looking at her grand mother she remarked:
“Now I understand why Uncle Fred was not looking so worried about his future. He must have a strong faith in God at a time like this, because he keeps thanking and praising God for everything”.
The old lady obviously pleased with the child’s insight, replied:
“You are quite right my child. You must never forget to give praise and thanks to God in all things. So often we ask God for help and then do not pause to thank him. Listen to what the rest of the Psalm says:
Willingly I will sacrifice to You;
I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good.
For He has delivered me from all trouble,
And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.
“He does not hesitate to give thanks and acknowledgment to God for delivering him from his enemies. But notice the last line even though they were trying to destroy him, he still looked kindly on his enemies, meaning that there was no hate but love for them. This is what Jesus came on earth to teach us. This is what makes a good Christian.”
As the old lady closed her bible, she quietly thanked God for this opportunity to teach her grand daughter his words. Ana stood up, hugging her grand mother as tight as she could, whispered to her:
“Thank God for you and for Uncle Fred and all the good people in the world.”
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