Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. ~Psalm 56:11
Psalm 56 through Psalm 60 are called Michtam, or teaching, psalms. They are also referred to as “the Golden Psalms.” The superscription to this psalm tells us when the event occurred. The background setting is 1 Samuel 21, when David fled to find refuge at Gath with the Philistines. This morning, we see how David went from being afraid to having complete trust in the Lord. David teaches us how to become fearless.
“Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.” When David fled to Gath, it was because he was afraid of Saul. When he heard the Philistines asking, “Is not this David the king of the land?” he became more afraid. He described his fear as being swallowed up. He heard them doubting his words and that their thoughts towards him were evil. David was afraid. When we are afraid, we are cowards. When we are afraid, we behave ourselves as mad men. When we are afraid, we are highly anxious and desperate. When we are like that, God is far from our thoughts.
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” When we shed tears, the pain and sorrow is more than we can bear. Tears are a means for the stress we have to be released. God sees our tears. God saw the intense sorrow and fear that David was carrying. When David knew that, he requested that his tears be saved into a little bottle as a memorial. David was comforted that the Lord loved him and was longsuffering towards him.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” David went from fear to faith. He awakened to the fact that he could not overcome his fear and problems on his own. He remembered the precious moments on the hills of Bethlehem when he walked with God and his faith was strong. At his lowest point in life, he committed his problem to God and trusted in Him. Trusting God is letting go and letting God. It is hiding under the shadow of His wings. It is when the Lord is your refuge and strength. It is awakening to the fact that God is a very present help in time of trouble. Trusting in God is the first thing we must do. Trusting in God is the most important thing we do.
“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” First, he testified that he trusted in God with no exception. Second, by trusting in God, he praised God for His Word. God’s Word is the authoritative means by which we are encouraged and reminded to trust in Him. Third, David gained a newfound courage. He said, “I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” He understood what Jesus meant when He said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” "In God I have put my trust." Trusting in God makes us fearless. We do not fear our enemies, defeat, or even, death. Start today with a resolve that in God and God alone will be your trust.
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 9-11
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