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Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM

Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:06 (GMT)

24 August 2008 | Psalm 56

Have pity, God Most High!
My enemies chase me all day.
Many of them are pursuing
and attacking me,
but even when I am afraid,
I keep on trusting you.

I praise your promises!
I trust you and am not afraid.
No one can harm me.
Enemies spend the whole day
finding fault with me;
all they think about
is how to do me harm.

They attack from ambush,
watching my every step
and hoping to kill me.
They won't get away with these crimes, God,
because when you get angry,
you destroy people.

You have kept record
of my days of wandering.
You have stored my tears
in your bottle
and counted each of them.

When I pray, LORD God,
my enemies will retreat,
because I know for certain
that you are with me.

I praise your promises!
I trust you and am not afraid.
No one can harm me.
I will keep my promises
to you, my God,
and bring you gifts.

You protected me from death
and kept me from stumbling,
so that I would please you
and follow the light
that leads to life.

Notes

The danger David was in when he wrote this psalm was very real. It wasn't just a nice poem. This was a powerful declaration - to God, to himself and to the world - that he would trust in God no matter what (vs 3,4,11).

I love the emotion and openness of David's words. It was not easy for him to trust God in his present circumstances. He was keenly aware of the danger he was in, and crying out to God for help.

If you are in need of God's help today, do not be afraid to tell God about the realities of your situation and the pain or frustration you feel. Do not be afraid to weep before your God (v 8). But at the same time, do not lose sight of the one you are crying out to.

David twice refers to 'God, whose word I praise' (vs 4,10). It is in his Word that we so often find strength to continue trusting God when life is hard. When we read of his promises and his past faithfulness, and when we see evidence of his goodness and love, we are encouraged to trust in him.

Prayer

Confident or afraid? He's your God whatever. Pray.

Today's Writer

The views expressed in the word on the web Bible studies may not reflect the editorial views of Christian Today.