Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. ~Psalm 31:1
In a Moody Monthly from many years ago was the following story: “Shott's drug store in Galveston, Tex., was open continuously day and night for twenty-six years. At the close of this long period all their filled prescriptions were displayed, above them read this sign: 'Trusted One Million Times.'" The signage was a powerful testimony that the little, family-owned pharmacy was a “trusted” place for prescriptions to be filled. In our devotion this morning, we will see how our trust in God is completely reliable all the time!
As we read this psalm, we quickly sense that David was in deep trouble. David was running from the enemies who have avowed to destroy him in reputation and in person. It could be that this psalm was written during the years that David was fleeing from Saul. David was being hunted. David was hurt within his soul. David was haunted in his mind by recurring thoughts of being killed. David was all alone. He had gone for many days with minimal to no sleep. His appetite had diminished. David’s back was against the wall. He said that he was forgotten as a dead man out of mind. He said that he felt like he was a broken and shattered vessel. He felt hopeless and useless. The setting is one of despair and deep suffering.
What do you do when you are at the place where David was? Bow your knees and pray to God! David is pouring out his heart to God! David is asking for deliverance from his plight. David is praying for God to intervene on his behalf. David is doing the first step when it comes to trusting in God: he comes before the Lord in prayer and supplication. Trusting God is asking for mercy (vv. 7, 9). Trusting God is letting Him know that you are at the end of your rope. Trusting God is asking Him to lead you when the path looks confusing and you are not sure which way to go.
“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” Trusting God is giving complete control of our situation into His hands. It is realizing that you do not have the answers and are unsure of what to do, but you have given every detail and aspect to God. Submission is letting go. Submission is following God wherever He leads. Can you submit to God? Can you submit to God completely? Many times, God places a problem before us to teach us that He is in control and not us. Many times, our strong will has to be broken by a besetting problem that teaches us to lean upon God. "My times are in thy hand"! That’s submission!
Trusting God restores our strength. Trusting God gives us assurance and peace. God knows where we are and comforts us. Trusting God bolsters our feet. He is our strong rock and house of defense. David knew that God had heard him and that his prayer was being answered (v. 22). Trusting God gives us peace. Trusting God gives us patience. Trusting God gives us protection. Trusting God makes us a better person!
In vv. 19-24, David acknowledges and praises God for answering his prayer and helping him. He said, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee.” He closes the psalm by saying, “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” David is saying that God can be trusted all the time!
Trust in God always! Trust in God completely! Trust in God in all things! Remember that without problems, we cannot learn to trust. Take the “t” off of trust and we get the word “rust.” Without trusting, we are rusting! Only trust Him!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 33-34
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