Face Fear With Faith
1 (To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.) Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Face Fear With Faith
David is well known and lauded for his uncanny bravery in the face of enormous danger. David declared faith in God for his victory over the giant Goliath. Just as David faced his fears in this battle, he continues to stand firm against all his foes in battle and against the jealous King Saul with a faith rooted and grounded in his trust in the almighty God. In Psalm 56, David affirms that God is for him. David overcomes fear by relying on his trust in a faithful God.
The first lines of this Psalm are a terrible outcry for help. David, once again, is in danger of being swallowed up by his enemies. Every day, many fight against him. Imagine David’s exhaustion in constant conflict and danger. However, David says when he is afraid, he will trust in God. David admits to God his feelings of helplessness and fear. He openly reveals this not as a weakness but as a natural emotion in these adverse circumstances. But he also shares what he does to eradicate these fretful thoughts. He trusts in God and prays to Him for deliverance. He also says “In God I will praise His word; in God I will put my trust” (56:4). He stands on God’s promises. Now, in this state of mind, the fear is gone. “I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (56:4).
Beyond physical assaults, David’s enemies also waged slanderous campaigns against him and his character. They also gather together and stalk after him, marking his steps. “They wait for my soul” (56:6). David asks God to cast them down because he knows God is angry and will avenge him and righteously take actions against these tormentors. David says and knows that God lovingly sees his tears and puts them in His bottle. What a sweet and kind gesture of compassion. David is certain that when he cries unto God, then shall his enemies turn back. “This I know for thou art for me” (56:9). Exuberant words of praise erupt from David’s grateful mouth. In God will I praise his word. In praise again, he says, “in God I will put my trust” (56:11). He has conquered his fears of man. “I will not be afraid what man will do unto me” (56:11). He repeats his trust in God’s vows which are upon him. God has delivered his soul from death. He will also deliver his feet from falling. He knows God plans to keep him walking before Him in the land of the living. He will walk as a reflection of God’s unfailing help. He will walk without fear, with continuous praise in the face of all fear.
Has your faith ever been tested? Have you faced a time of uncertainty, helplessness, or doubt when the outcome is unclear? Were you afraid for your life, literally, or for the fragile social or economic circumstances of your life? I have been in times of fear once or twice. Like David, I have shed tears of distress and feared for the future. It was only my coming to the point of turning to God in prayer, knowing He hears me and will help me. It was only my trust in His word and knowledge that He is on my side that I could come to a place of peace. It was only my trust in the truth that God is in control that I could be still and know that He is God. If you ever face a time of great fear, you too, as a child of God, can know that many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers them out of them all. Hallelujah!
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
Elizabeth Expands:
Today’s Psalm was written during 1 Samuel 27, directly following Psalm 54 and Certain Faith. God has shown again and again that He would protect David, even putting Saul’s life in his own hands. TWICE! (1Sam 26, 1 Sam ) Yet Saul, on the other hand, was quick to forget his promises to leave David in peace, and David decides to move all of his family and men to the land of the Philistines—who, if you have any idea of David’s story, are people they regularly go to war with. David hides here by pretending to fit in with the Philistines, lying to the king about attacking the Israelites when really he was attacking Israel’s enemies and leaving none alive to tell tale.
The chapter ends with, “And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever” (1 Samuel 27:12). I wonder if this could be one of the ways “they wait for [his] soul” (Psalm 56:6), hoping he would betray God and Israel and be loyal to their false idols and the wars waged in the name of human gain. Thank the Lord that He eternally sticks to His promises, and continued to deliver David every time he turned to Him.
I would love to hear what this Psalm brings to mind for you! Write back to me in Facebook comment or blog reply.
Disclaimer: The intention of this project is not to teach, but rather to share. Please use due diligence in studying the word of God, and seek guidance from your local religious leaders for any questions or concerns.
Meet Elizabeth Baber
Elizabeth Baber is the latest addition to the Debra Hill Sings team, working as the head Virtual Assistant for the wonderful woman herself. Elizabeth would identify as an author(ess), spreadsheet fanatic, and all-around geek. The majority of her time is spent serving Central Virginia’s low-vision patients as a technician with the MedRVA Foundation.
When not at work, she can be found cooking with her fiancé, coaching Teen Bible Quizzing, wrestling novel ideas, running an online Dungeons and Dragons server, or trying her hand at one of a hundred rotating crafting hobbies.
Some of her work can be found on her website: www.writingonwords.com and you can contact her at elizabeth@writingonwords.com.
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