YEAR 2, WEEK 4, Day 7, Sunday, 26 January 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=psalm+56

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 26 January 2025:

Psalm 56:1 — Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me….

The word for “gracious” in this verse, “chânan,” is translated as “merciful” in many Bible versions, such as the King James Version. Either way, David recognizes that God can certainly deal with his attacker but doesn’t assume he deserves God’s intervention or that it is within God’s will to intervene. Often, God will allow challenges within our lives for His purposes, which could include our discipline for our sins, or simply to develop our Christlike character, or to use us as instruments of His grace in the lives of others in ways which might require our suffering. Often, God will be doing many of these things simultaneously through our circumstances. God wants us to pray for relief, but we must appreciate that, if relief isn’t within His will, it is for a greater good we can’t understand or appreciate. So, no matter what you are experiencing, pray, trust, and obey without grumbling.

Psalm 56:2 – …my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.

Attacks are motivated by pride. Sometimes it might feel like the attacks against you are relentless – all day long, day after day. Remember, God will not give you more than you can handle with His strength, though it might be impossible in your strength alone. Key Christian character traits include, patience (which means long suffering), endurance, and perseverance. Don’t give up; wait upon the LORD. He will respond perfectly in His perfect timing.

Psalm 56:3, 4 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

The remedy for fear is trust in God. Fear is a trust problem, a faith problem. “Do not be afraid,” is a command often repeated in the Bible. It is a command because, in our lack of faith, we must be reminded to practice trust, to do it even when we don’t feel it. The more we do it, the more we will start feeling it.

These verses tell us that an important process to learning to trust and no longer fear is to ‘praise God’s word.’ It is very difficult to become fearless without eager Bible study; which is what God uses primarily to speak to us and reveal Himself to us through the counsel and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Put on the full armor of God BEFORE you begin the day’s battle; praise God (even if you don’t completely feel like rejoicing) for the truths you read in God’s word and trust in them. What does “rejoice” mean? It means, essentially, to ‘joy’ again. When you feel doubtful or down, re-joy – praise God and be filled with joy, despite your apparent circumstances. Focus on the love and faithfulness of God and His promises for you. Obey the command to fear not. Don’t allow yourself to be afraid or to worry without responding to fear with prayer, reciting God’s word to yourself, and rejoicing. Replace your negative thoughts with the truth of Jesus. This is something you must decide to do and practice habitually.

Don’t lose sight of the fact that David says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” In Christ we can have courage in the face of fear. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it is the ability to remain steadfast through fear. We are not yet perfected in our faith, but we do have the faith and power given by the Holy Spirit to grow in courage if we are faithful with what we already have. Don’t be surprised or disheartened by your fear, face it with prayer, God’s word, and courage. After confessing fear, the psalmist boldly says more than once, “I shall not be afraid.” David trusted that his faith would continue to grow, and his fear would diminish. David knew he hadn’t arrived, and he was honest about it, but he wasn’t giving up.

“He feared, but that fear did not fill the whole area of his mind, for he adds, ‘I will trust in thee.’ It is possible, then, for fear and faith to occupy the mind at the same moment…. It is a sure sign of grace when a man can trust in his God, for the natural man, when afraid, falls back on some human trust, or he thinks that he will be able to laugh at the occasion of fear.” (Spurgeon)

Psalm 56:4 — In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

When you are worried, turn to Jesus. You won’t trust someone you don’t know very well. You can’t know someone very well you haven’t spent much time with and who you haven’t seen to be trustworthy. Spend more time with Jesus and see His love and faithfulness in your life.

Psalm 56:5-6 — All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.

The King James Version interprets vs 5 this way: “Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.” In other words, our attackers will twist our words, and look connivingly for ways to accuse us and attack us (lurking and watching our every step). This was true in David’s time and it is equally true today. Don’t be surprised when Christians, including you, are vilified, falsely accused, and persecuted.

Psalm 56:8 – You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?

God knows every bit of your sorrow, counting every tear you shed. The Psalmist is struggling with fear and doubt, and is reminding himself of God’s perfect love and reliability. This is written as an example for us.

Psalm 56:10 — In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise.

How you feel about God’s word reveals how you feel about God. A worn out Bible usually belongs to someone who isn’t.

Psalm 56:12, 13 — I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

God loves you so much that He gave his only Son so that you would not perish but would have eternal life. How then should you live your life on earth? Your level of obedience reveals your level of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice for you.

Fear is one of the biggest causes of sin. In your fear, remain obedient. In your obedience, God’s fidelity will become more evident to you, you will trust more, and fear less.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 26 January 2025: Today, make the decision to trust God completely with your trials and challenges. Trust that God knows exactly what is going on in your life and is fulfilling His plan for you which is based on His perfect love for you. Praise God today. Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything. You must decide to trust — today is the day (Psalm 56, 57).