Read
(For the music leader. To the tune “A Silent Dove in the Distance.” A special psalm by David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.)
A Prayer of Trust in God
1 Have pity, God Most High!
My enemies chase me all day.
2Many of them are pursuing
and attacking me,
3but even when I am afraid,
I keep on trusting you.
4I praise your promises!
I trust you and am not afraid.
No one can harm me.
5Enemies spend the whole day
finding fault with me;
all they think about
is how to do me harm.
6They attack from ambush,
watching my every step
and hoping to kill me.
7They won't get away
with these crimes, God,
because when you get angry,
you destroy people.
8You have kept record
of my days of wandering.
You have stored my tears
in your bottle
and counted each of them.
9When I pray, Lord God,
my enemies will retreat,
because I know for certain
that you are with me.
10I praise your promises!
11I trust you and am not afraid.
No one can harm me.
12I will keep my promises
to you, my God,
and bring you gifts.
13You protected me from death
and kept me from stumbling,
so that I would please you
and follow the light
that leads to life.
Reflect
On the run from King Saul who was hell-bent on taking his life, David seeks shelter in the one place he doubts Saul would look, the Philistine city of Gath. He must have been out of his mind. Goliath, the giant champion of the Philistine army, had come from Gath! It was like jumping from the frying pan of Saul’s wrath into the fire of Philistine revenge. To crown this stupidity, David walked into town carrying Goliath’s sword! He didn’t stroll around for long. The word quickly spread from mouth to mouth, “Look, isn’t this David? The one the Israelites sing about in their dances … the one who has slain tens of thousands?” And in short order he found himself imprisoned – anticipating imminent execution. His only defence was to feign insanity (cf. 1 Samuel 21:10-15).
The subject of Psalm 56 is remarkable. Small wonder that this song is uniquely called a michtam, a word literally meaning “to cut” or “to engrave”- an implication that David’s story should be remembered forever.
Sometimes life pushes us into corners with no wriggle room. Imprisoned by circumstances we can either waste away worrying, or turn to God. David wisely chooses faith over fear. Yes, his foes seemed to have the upper-hand (v.1-2, 5-6), but David knew that God who was with him was greater than the enemies who were against him (v.4).
How do you respond when the chips are down? Do you fight, flee or fall apart? Remarkably, David chooses to sing. He sings about his trials (v.5-6), tears (v.8) and trust in God (v.10-11). And as he sings, something supernatural happens – his problems grow smaller as God looms larger.
Are you trapped by circumstances – looking for a way out? Take stock of your situation (v.1-6), trade your fear for faith (v.7-11), thank God as you wait for His deliverance (v.12), then “follow the light that leads to life” (v.13).
Respond
Lord, people may smear my reputation, find fault, plot my downfall, or think up ways to hurt me. But I will not be afraid. For in you I put my trust. Thank you for being on my side! When you are with me, who can stand against me? Your deliverance is my delight! Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners