Psalm__56

Happy New Year! 2019!

 

Scripture

 

Psalm 56:3-4, 10-13 NIV

 

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?......In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

King David wrote this Psalm documenting when the Philistines had seized him in Gath. It’s a very interesting story. David pretended to be insane in order to escape Achish, king of Gath. Please see 1 Samuel 21:10-15 for the full story. 

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Troubles in life cannot be escaped. They must be faced in the strength of the Lord.

King David had fled from Saul because Saul intended to kill him (See 1 Samuel 20:30-34). However, David had found himself in a similar predicament when he fled to Achish, king of Gath. His troubles had followed him. As a result, David pretended to be insane in order to be set free because he was “very much afraid of Achish..” (1 Samuel 21:12). This is when he wrote Psalm 56. He was crying out to God because his enemies were in hot pursuit of him. He was encouraging himself out of his fear by remembering Who he must put his trust in and how mere mortals can do him no harm when God is on his side.  

 

Life Application

 

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 

Heading into a new year can be a joyous time, but also a fearful time for some. For some, it can mean new beginnings. For others, it may cause fear of what the new year may hold; Fear of the unknown. Regardless of the emotions that heading into a new year may bring, we must remember that as long as our trust and hope remains on Jesus Christ, it will be a great year and we can worship and be thankful because He remains good all the time!  Dear Lord, we invite You into this new year, of new seasons and new beginnings. We have faith that no matter what this year brings, it will be good because You are always good. Amen. Please listen to this song, You are My Hiding Place by Selah. https://youtu.be/_dR0H0tAYT8

-Michelle Gaddi