Dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Jay Rodin on the honor of Daniel and Shana's wedding.
Irrepressible Faith \ Tehillim
“My eyes always look towards HaShem, for He will free my feet from the net” (Tehillim 25:15).
Envision a bird that is snared in a trapper's net. No matter how intensely he tries to free himself, escape is next to impossible.
There are many trials in life in which we are “trapped in the net.” For instance, we often fall into the diabolical web of the yetzer hora, the negative impulse. The yetzer hora might awaken an adverse character trait or provoke us to act improperly. Once a person is pulled into the “gravitational field” of the yetzer hora, an awesome challenge is cast upon him to reverse the path of his struggle.
Alternatively, a person might be in the “net” of an overwhelming financial burden, a trying personal issues, or fighting a serious illness. All of these situations can be potentially tragic, leaving the individual devoid of all hope.
However, King David championed the ideal that no matter how desperate were his circumstances, he always had hope in HaShem! As he said, “Even if the sharp sword is resting on your neck, never give up! Pray to HaShem for compassion!”
What was the source of King David’s irrepressible optimism? He constantly lifted his eyes towards HaShem — “My eyes always look towards HaShem.” He was confident that his Merciful Father would deliver him from his dire straits — “for He will free my feet from the net.” King David’s reflex action to always trust in HaShem energized him with living, dynamic faith in his Creator.
When confronted with challenges in life we have the choice to greet them either with hope or despair. Once a person falls into despair, he sabotages his rescue.
If he looks to Heaven, he will be resuscitated with dynamic hope. Imagine yourself looking up to Heaven -- let “the rays of hope illuminate your life.”
Faith in HaShem encourages us with the awareness that all problems are surmountable, and provides us with the confidence that HaShem will always deliver us.
(Based on the commentary of Ibn Ezra and Metzudas David)
