Psalm 56:4, 11 - Faith and Trust in a Sovereign God and His Promises Resolve Fear. [update]
Psalm 56:4, 11 - Faith and Trust in a Sovereign God and His
Promises Resolve Fear. [update]
Psalm 56:4, 11 (KJV) In God I will praise his word, in God I
have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 11 In
God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto
me.
Psalm 56:4, 11 (NLT) I praise God for what he has promised. I
trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to
me? 11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere
mortals do to me?
INTRODUCTION
Written by David when the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
[TNIV]
Verse 4 is the refrain of the psalm, and is repeated in
augmented form in vv. 10 and 11. [SDA Bible Commentary]
Twice the author stresses that he puts his trust in God (vv. 4,
11). It means he does not trust in the army, horses, allies, wealth,
or wisdom but in his personal God. [Andrews SB]
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
David's sense of being surrounded by enemies was no paranoia. He
was alone, and his enemies were all too real. Yet through this
terrifying experience David came to see fear as a friend, rather than as an
enemy. How is fear a friend? Fear is a friend because it is only when
we are afraid that we plumb the depths of trust. We cannot know
what trust means unless we live through experiences in which the Lord
is all we have to hold on to. Through his experience of fear, David
became able to share a great and wonderful discovery with us. 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? When trust
releases us from our fear of others, we are truly free to "walk before
God in the light of life." [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Everyone is afraid of something:
gangs
disease
the future
a spouse
the government
failure
speaking in public
Have you ever been stopped at a traffic light and seen one of
those bumper stickers that reads "NO FEAR"? But the fact that the
driver isn't running the red light reveals the truth.
Psalm 56 deals with fear. Although the author, David, was a
mighty warrior, he was not immune to this emotion - especially when his
enemies were out to get him. Fortunately, David found a cure for his
fear and recorded it in this psalm.
What could be more frightening than being surrounded by an
enemy who is pressing in from all sides (Psalm 56:1-6)? David faced
exactly that situation many times. As a man who had great trust in God,
this is what he learned about dealing with fear: (1) remember that
God is with you; (2) trust God for protection; (3) praise God for
fulfilling his promises; and (4) use the resources that God has given you.
Our fear often comes from our overestimating our attackers
and underestimating our own resources in God and the church.
Whenever you are faced with persecution, insecurity, or poor odds, take
the fear-fighting steps that David took and overcome your fear. [The
One Year Through the Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman re vv. 1-9]
The scene in this psalm is very familiar: the psalmist has
been attacked, slandered, and maligned by his enemies. He even feared
death and had every human reason to be afraid. But as he reminded
himself of the Lord's care and concern, as he meditated on God's power
and majesty, and as he trusted and praised God's Word, his fear
began to flee.
When circumstances cause us to be afraid, the only way we can
avoid being overwhelmed by fear and genuinely trust in almighty God is
by experiencing and declaring who he says he is in his Word. It is
there that we learn of him and come to know him. As he speaks, his
very words and presence bring peace, calmness, rest, and stillness in
our inmost being. Therefore, as the psalmist said, we trust in God,
so why should we be afraid? As children of God, we learn to live by
his precious, powerful Word so that we can walk before him in the
light of life. We can trust him and not give way to fear.
LORD, when I am afraid, I trust in you, and I praise you for
the sustaining power of your Word. Help me to lay hold of your words
to me, for they alone bring me life, health, and peace. Let my
trust in you continue to grow deep and wide so that I can fulfill the
plans you have for me in order for your kingdom to increase, Thank you
for the gift of your Word, which comforts, inspires, and guides my
path each day. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re vv. 3, 4]
Have you ever found yourself in such a frightening situation
that it pushed your "panic button"? Some people face that kind of
fear because of a dreadful circumstance. Others may fear failure,
rejection, illness, or death. Children often fear the dark and want their
parents to hold their hand as they walk into a dark room.
Whatever you fear, you don't have to handle it alone by
working harder, trying to control things, living in denial, or worst of
all, backing away from God and his promises. Instead, these Scripture
verses tell us we can turn to God when we are afraid. As we honestly
admit what we're afraid of, our fear can actually draw us closer to
the Lord than we ever thought possible. Reading God's promises in
the Bible gives us assurance that we are not alone in this fearful
place. God has promised to be with you in every situation and to never
leave you, so you can put your trust in him. He is the source of our
courage and security. He can turn your fear into faith.
LORD, you have said that when I'm afraid, at the very point
of my anxiety, I can put my trust in you and experience your
protection. I thank you for your Word that promises your presence with me.
You are my heavenly Father, so please hold my hand in dark and
frightening circumstances, and help me to trust you and walk close to you
today. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re vv. 3, 4]
Your fear is a handle for laying hold on God. When you stop
running and face your fear head on with faith, you find God. It is His
presence and power that move us beyond our fears--past, present, and
future. Bruce Larson
CROSS REFERENCES
Psalm 118:6 (KJV) The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what
can man do unto me?
Hebrews 13:6 (KJV) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my
helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Grace Notes: http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources: http://www.aBible.com
