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Today’s Scripture readings—Psalms 56, 120, and 140–142—were written when David experienced great hardship while on the run from king Saul. He was surrounded by pagan people—those who loved war more than peace (120:6–7) and who persecuted him relentlessly (142:6).

One verse from Psalm 120 stood out as strange to me. David wrote in verse 5,

“Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!”

The region of Meshech was located far north of Israel, in modern-day Turkey, and Kedar was in the Arabian Desert to the far southeast. It would have been impossible for David to have lived in either place considering the events outlined for us in 1st Samuel. But to describe the level of his sadness, he used Meshech and Kedar as hyperbole. It would be like us saying, “It feels like I’ve been banished to Siberia.” I haven’t been to Siberia, but the image communicates how extreme and painful my situation feels.

For David, being on the run—cut off from his home, his people, and his family—was almost unbearable. And yet, his faith remained. Why? Because for David, God was a greater treasure than acceptance, comfort, or even family. His greatest fear wasn’t of death—it was of being separated from God. In Psalm 56:4, David confirms this by saying,

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Jesus shared the same encouragement to His disciples when He sent them out; warning them that persecution would come. In Matthew 10:28, He said:

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

We will all face difficult days—sometimes because of the sin of others, and sometimes with no quick escape. But no person, no hardship, not even death itself, can take from us what God has graciously given: eternal life.

I’m reminded of something my dad often says: “Into this life, a little rain must fall.” It is his way of encouraging those he says it to; that there is hope beyond today. He knows that the trials of life for the believer are a passing cloud. He knows for those who trust in God through Christ, the sun will shine again.

Takeaway: In your most difficult seasons, don’t let pain or persecution rob you of joy. Even when you feel alienated or misunderstood, know that nothing and no one can take God’s love or His promise of life from you. Let your heart echo David’s: “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid.”