Psalm 56

Psalm 56

God is for His Children

I.                    Faith means being gripped by God in the midst of fear, so we must choose faith over fear (Vv. 1-4)

a.       Psalm 56 recalls a period of time in David’s life when he trapped himself between faith and fear, behind enemy lines in Philistia. In the first two verses David cries out to God and describes his circumstances and feelings. He is outnumbered and overwhelmed by both the ferociousness of his enemies, and the relentless and unending nature of their attacks. David’s words paint the picture of being helpless prey which is being hotly pursued by a predator who hounds them, pants after them, and snaps viciously at their heels. David’s outlook seems bleak, he’s alone, worn down, and losing stamina with no chance to rest. In our own lives, doesn’t it seem like the pressure and stress-free times of life fly by, but the times of difficulty and intense trial seem to be endless? (Vv. 1-2; 1 Sam. 21:10-15)

b.       David feels defeated and frightened, he’s backed into a corner, outnumbered, worn out, and feels like he’s losing the fight. He doesn’t deny his fear. He faces it head on by holding it up next to the reality of who God is and what He promises. Our moments of greatest and deepest trust and faith are most often found in the companionship of fear. The object of David’s faith and affection is God Himself, and the content is God’s promises. David teaches us that in times of fear and discouragement, we shouldn’t minimize our circumstances, we must maximize who God is. Then we’ll come to the same conclusion David did, why should we be afraid, God is good, faithful, and bigger than anything humanity or life can do to us. We who live on this side of the cross know the Ruler and Messiah whom God promised to David. We can live in an intimate love relationship with Him through repentant faith in His finished work on our behalf. We can trust that He’s coming back to make all things new, and that between now and then, there’s nothing we face which He hasn’t already defeated, and no fear or set of circumstances can separate us from His love! (Vv. 3-4; 1 Sam. 16:1-13; Ps. 30:5; 37:5; 59:16; 90:14; 116:6; Isa. 40:6-8; Jer. 17:5-8; John 3:16; Rom. 8:33-39; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Pet. 1:22-2:1; 1 John 4:9-10, 16-19; Rev. 21:1-7)

II.                 Faith means being gripped by God in the midst of fear, so we must remember that God is for us (Vv. 5-11)

a.   David is under constant threat and pressure, his enemies are constantly lurking, watching his every step, seeking every opportunity to twist his words, destroy his name, and eventually kill him. However, he’s reassured because God knows where he is, how he feels, and shares his feelings with him. David knows God will hold those who plot and do evil against Him and His people accountable. He has nothing to fear and even in his great distress his faith will grow stronger because his understanding that the all-powerful, all sovereign, promise keeping God is for him grows the most in the worst times! We must also remember that it’s often the worst circumstances in life which give us the greatest occasion to grow to know God more deeply and reflect Christ more fully. God knows our his every step, feels and records our every emotion, and shares them with us. It’s in our darkest times of conflict and distress that God grows us the most as people. We must trust that God sees and feels our every move and pain, and acts according to our greatest good and His greatest glory. (Vv. 5-11; Deut. 28:7; 2 Kgs. 20:1-6; Ps. 37:1-2, 18-20; 121:8; 130:3; 139:16; Neh. 13:14; Mal. 3:16-17; Rom. 8:28-32; 2 cor. 12:7-10; Heb. 6:10; Rev. 20:12; 21:27)

III.              Faith means being gripped by God in the midst of fear, so we must maintain faithful and thankful hearts (Vv. 12-13)

a.   God kept His promises to David and delivered him through his trial. He preserved not only David’s body from death, but David knew that God would keep his soul forever. God also guarded David’s way, kept his feet from stumbling, and moved him along His righteous and well-lit path. All of David’s fear, loneliness, and despair have ended in thanksgiving and praise. Because of the difficulty he endured, David is able to live more thankfully, peacefully, and joyfully! As he continues forward in thanksgiving and prayer, God will guard his heart and mind from worry, fear, and despair, and renew him and direct his paths in His will and purpose. Life in this broken world will include times of fear, despair, loneliness, and what seems like extended periods of darkness. But Jesus is the “Light of life”, and those who repent and trust their lives to Christ, continually looking to Him in thanksgiving and prayer, will find peace, hope, joy, and light for their path. In the darkest hours, we’ll know that He cares for us, feels our pain with us, and causes all things for our good because He’s for us! (Vv. 12-13; Ps. 22:22-24; John 8:12; Rom. 5:1-5; 12:1-2; Phil. 4:4-9; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 12:1-3; 1 Pet. 5:6-10)