You Are Not the Only One

#Merciful #SwallowMeUp #fighting

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭Chapter 56:1-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This psalm identifies the author as when David. It was written when he felt that he was in danger at the hands of the  Philistines (1 Sam. 21:10-15). The psalmist expresses this confidence in the Lord. He also expresses the confidence that Christians should exude when they find themselves in terrifying circumstances. David’s shows that his natural reaction was to panic (verses 3, 4, 11). On the other hand, he demonstrates in the psalm that the faith will replace feelings of terror with a disposition of trust.

• • Faith & Fear

David did not expect any human being to be merciful. He was living in Gath, the city of Goliath whom he had killed. He knew that his own people were ready to kill him (1 Sam. 21:10-15).  So, what does he do? He cries out to God to deliver him. Not because of his righteousness, but because God is Holy and just. Believers have many enemies, sin, Satan, and this ugly world. All are seeking to devour and destroy us, even though they cannot. What should we do when faced with those odds? Today we are reminded in 1 Peter 5:8 that we should “Be sober, be vigilant; because of your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 

• • Destroyer & Deliverer

  • 4. In God, I will praise his word, in God, I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5.  Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps when they wait for my soul.

David faced Goliath against all the odds and won. Why? He did not fear him!  Matthew 10:28 declares “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.” The word used for “form” also has the sense of causing vexation and grief (Isaiah 63:10). His enemies did not want to hear his words. Remember how the Sadducees were ticked at the apostles’ preaching (Acts 4:1)? The Septuagint and Vulgate Latin interpret it as, “they cursed my words”; or despised them, as the Ethiopic and Arabic versions. Anguish is intensified by unceasing harassment. 

• •  ^7. Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

The anger of God is not an emotional response. It is not like a 2-year old having a temper tantrum. It is a judicial outrage. God’s holy nature reacting to wickedness, filthiness, and ungodliness of humanity’s behavior. Christians tend to look at the prospering of the ungodly and wonder where God is. David questioned the same thing. He asks, are they going to get out of what they have their evil ways? Remember that when evil people do not “get theirs” in this life, we are positive that they will “get theirs” on judgment day. There is no escaping God’s wrath. David asks God to keep his tears in a bottle. He also confirms that he knows that God hears his prayers.

Prayer: Lord when against with an against all odds situation I will trust in you.