When studying languages, the formation and use of tenses are key to being able to express oneself fluently. Past, present and future time frames are expressed in a variety of ways in different languages, with English having three ways of talking about the present: ‘I pray,’ ‘I do pray’, ‘I am praying‘, for example, with the ‘I am praying’ known as the continuous present tense, expressing something that goes on for a period of time. Often when we use this tense, we are talking about something which happens regularly or frequently.
Continuing in something is often the key to success, one-off actions not always being what we need. In our Christian journey, we do not just pray, trust, believe, hope or rejoice on one occasion. We are called to do these things repeatedly, continuously.
Sometimes these actions come easily to us: a sunny day causing us to rejoice, an answer to prayer buoying our faith. But at other times it goes against the grain to believe, trust, hope or rejoice.
Circumstances drag us down, and it is far easier on those occasions to doubt, complain and despair.
Psalm 52 was written at a difficult time in David’s life. Despite having been anointed king over Israel, he was on the run for his life as the present incumbent (Saul) was intent on destroying him. Doeg the Edomite had betrayed David’s whereabouts to Saul, and although David had escaped Saul’s murderous clutches, the priest (Ahimelek) and his family had not. (1 Sam 21-22) David was distraught, hurt, angry and frustrated. The psalm clearly reveals those feelings. But at the end, David reiterates his intention to keep on trusting God, to hope in His unfailing love and to declare His praises for all the good things He had done. (Ps 52:8-9)
We must learn to keep on doing these good things even in dark times. Persistence and perseverance lead to victory. Keep on keeping on! Hope, trust, love and praise God, no matter what.
