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In God I Have Put My Trust-Psalm 56
IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST
---- PSALM FIFTY-SIX
"Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Psalms 56:1-13)
David fled from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. (1 Samuel 21:10-15) He pretended to be a crazy man to escape from the Philistines. At times God's people experience one problem after another. This was the case with David; he went from one difficulty to the next. Even in the worst of tribulations David lived with his focus on the thought "In God I trust."
Be merciful unto me, O God -- Psalm 56:1-4: David made a strong appeal to God for mercy. He stood in need mercy concerning his personal sins. He also desired God's mercy to protect and preserve him. David learned a lesson that we would all do well to remember. Sometimes we bring our troubles on ourselves. In a very unwise moment David had fled to the land of the enemies for help. He prayed to God for help because he was being pursued by men. What a contrast in power? With trust in God there is no need to fear what flesh or man can do to us. Jesus said, "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." (Matthew 10:28) David was confident that God would bless and care for Him.
God is for His people -- Psalm 56:5-9: David's enemies worked hard against him. They twisted his words and their thoughts were evil against him. They stalked him and waited for opportunities to do him harm. David pleaded with God to hold them accountable for their actions. We do well to remember that we will be held accountable for every word we speak, deed we do or do not do and for our every thought. David knew that the wicked would not get by with their wickedness. He prayed that God would remember his tears and drive away his enemies.
A great expression of faith -- Psalm 56:10-13: David expressed great faith in God saying, "In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." (Psalms 56:10-11) Let us, with the same confidence that David had, express our faith in God. He saw God as a God of both Judgment and mercy. David recognized God's deliverance and promised to praise Him and to "Walk before God in the light of life." As Christians let us "Walk before God in the light of life" because, (1) We have been born again (1 John 5:1), (2) Our minds have been transformed (Romans 12:1-2), (3) We are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), (4) We have put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24), and (5) We are serving in newness of spirit. (Romans 7:6)
Let us with David have the faith that says, "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." Our God is a mighty God. He is worthy of our praise. In loving appreciation for the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus you must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (2 Peter 3:9), confess Jesus before men (Matthew 10:32) and be baptized to wash away sin. (Acts 22:16) God delivered us from sin and damnation through the death of Jesus. Praise Him and never look back!
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA
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