“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (56:3).
Psalm 56
I t is tempting to read the account of the biblical history of the Hebrew nation from the days of the exodus from Egypt through the times of the judges, the kings, and glibly point your finger at their fickle nature toward their Creator and Deliverer. Until, you look in the mirror and see gross similarities in how we often question God’s trustworthiness when tragedy strikes or when He doesn’t deliver our desires on a silver platter. We would be in an eternally helpless predicament if God kept track of the times we questioned His trustworthiness and countless efforts to heal, rescue, save, and protect His flock.
We would be in an eternally helpless predicament if God kept track of the times we questioned His trustworthiness and countless efforts to heal, rescue, save, and protect His flock.
I heard the story of a gentleman who was caught sitting on his rooftop as the rising waters of a flash flood steadily overtook his house and rushed through the neighborhood streets. As the waters crept up the shingles, and he inched his way towards the peak of the roof, he cried out, “God save me!” A boat soon passed by his house, rescuing victims from flooded houses. The driver of the boat cried out, “Get in and grab a life jacket!” The desperate man replied, “God will save me.” Then he cried out again, “God save me!” Again, another boat drove by with a helping hand. Again, the stranded man replied that God would hear his prayer and rescue him. Surprisingly, it happened yet a third time. As the man drowned and entered Heaven, he stood before God and shook his fist at God and exclaimed, “Where were You when I cried out to You three times to save me?” To which God replied, “Where was I? I sent three boats by to save you but you refused to get in.”
1. Psalm 56:4 – “In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”
When were you most afraid recently?
How did God receive your prayer for help?
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2. Psalm 56:8-9 – “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; this I know, that God is for me.”
What is David saying in this beautiful passage about God’s tender and purposeful, fatherly care?
“God is for me.” Four simple yet profound words. What do these four words mean to you personally?
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3. Psalm 56:10-11 – “In God, whose word I praise, in The Lord, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Isaiah 26:3-4 – “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in The Lord forever, for in God The Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.”
Do you trust God some of the time, most of the time, or all the time? Why?
The amount of fear/anxiety you experience in this world is directly proportionate to the degree of trust you place in The Shepherd that leads you. Why is this age-old, biblically-based relationship true?
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4. Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to The Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
What do you need to do in your belief system and your emotional control system to deepen your trust in your Shepherd?
How does trust change your priorities?
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5. Psalm 37:3 – “Trust in The Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”
An old favorite church hymn lyrics’ say,
“Trust and obey. Trust and obey. Than to be happy in Jesus
Than to trust and obey.”
How does trust generate obedience?
How does combining trust and obedience like part A and part B epoxy cement take Jesus’ lambs to greener pasture?
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“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”From today’s scripture, how does THE Shepherd inspire you to shepherd your flock? John 13:15
“Commit your way to The Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5).
Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
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