Psalm 56

Be merciful to me, O God for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps,eager to take my life.

On no account let them escape; in Your anger, O God, bring down the nations.

Record my lament; list my tears on Your scroll – are they not in Your record?

Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me! In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I am under vows to You, 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.

NIV

“The theme of this Psalm is trusting in God’s care in the midst of fear. When all seems dark, one truth still shines bright, when God is for us, those against us will never succeed.”

David is the author and is fleeing King Saul who is out to kill David for being favored in the eyes of men and God.

What phrases stand out?

In verses 3 and 4 we read this powerful refrain:

When I am afraid I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

I don’t have an army chasing me, do you?

Some of us, though, may feel like we are under attack or persecuted at work or school. That people are on the watch for you to slip up so they can point out your shortcomings.

For some of us, that attack feels more emotional or spiritual. There is a situation being experienced that is causing fear.

Is it an illness that lingers? Or a constant threat of illness that will not lift?

Cancer?

Living alone?

Feeling as if you are alone or abandoned?

Do you need to make a change but the unknown future that change will bring is terrifying?

These verses make a claim in the face of fear…it is not a request asked for God to help not be afraid…

It is a declaration to be unafraid.

Why is David making that declaration? How can he??

Because he chose to put his trust in God…the One he chose to praise.

Again I ask…what are you afraid of?

Look into it…and declare I WILL NOT BE AFRAID BECAUSE I TRUST IN THE LORD.

Still fearful?

Say it again.

Why should that be effective?

Confident trust in something stronger than your circumstance brings courage.

Why?

The focus is now on the STRENGTH instead of the fear.

Because of my faith, I am promised eternal life. What can man, or an enemy or an illness or threat of suffering do to me, if my soul is secure and my God is already victorious??

Does that mean I will have victory over every attack that comes against? Every evil word? Every persecution? Every act of oppression? Every lie?

Does that mean I immune to harm being done against me?

No.

However, in the face of fear, I can rest with confidence that God is on His throne, He knows what He is doing, that He is the master of bringing good out of evil for His glory, that He is continually working all things for His good for those who love Him.

Do you believe in the promises of God?

In the presence of fear that is where you need to claim them!

Just like David did.