Trust in God
The book of psalms undoubtedly has words of wisdom for those of us who are born again believers of Jesus Christ. I don’t think there isn’t a topic or situation that is discussed in psalms that we can’t relate to today. Today we are going to be discussing one psalm that I believe would be beneficial for us as believers to reflect upon, especially in times when we feel that the world is attacking us.
“56 Be gracious to me, God, for a man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me. 2 My enemies have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me. 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 5 All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They attack, they lurk, They watch my steps, As they have waited to take my life. 7 Because of their wickedness, will there be an escape for them? In anger make the peoples fall down, God! 8 You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back on the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can mankind do to me? 12 Your vows are binding upon me, God; I will render thanksgiving offerings to You. 13 For You have saved my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living.”
Psalm 56
The beginning of this psalm gives the reader the impression that the individual is broken down, his enemies have won, and he is beaten. But their first thought is not to rage against their enemy, instead it is to plead to God to be gracious and recognizing that this individual will place their faith in God, no matter how afraid they are. The author then continues to state that they will not be afraid because there is not much that mere man can do to them. The author recognizes that their enemies can distort their words, the enemy attacks them, and they seek to take their life, but despite all of this, the author is not afraid of them. This sentiment is echoed by Jesus in Luke 12:4-5. “4 “Now I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” The author of this psalm is recognizing that there is only so much that humankind can do to them, that by placing their trust in God they have already won.
While this psalm may start off as describing a broken individual, it does not end that way. Verses 12 and 13 show that the author recognizes that God’s promises are binding, He will not change them. Every promise that God makes in His Word, He will complete. No matter what our situations may be, He will be with us!
This psalm is a great encouragement to us today. While some of our readers may be being attacked physically, others may be experiencing circumstances in which individuals are twisting their words about Jesus. This psalm shows that all of these things are only temporary and in the end, we need to keep our faith in Jesus Christ, the only one who can truely uphold their promises.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex