By the heading before Psalm 56, we know David is in trouble once more as he is caught by the enemies of God’s people, the Philistines. Goliath, as have studied before, came from Gath along with many other enemies of God and His people. David cries out to God to plead his case to the One and Only who David knows is in charge and will help. David sounds anxious and distraught at first because of his current circumstance; but He still knows God, trusts in God or he would not have come to God expecting Him to help him out of this cruel and unjust captivity yet again.
When we trust God, it does not mean that we are exempt from our own troublesome battles with the world of evil or our own self-produced messes due to mistakes in judgment. Truly the opposite is fact; we are sent to the front lines because of our faith for we are a people who trust God so completely that we seek to walk with Him, stand in His Presence, ready to take orders, willing to obey what He says—so others will know! David is that person.
Pause to pray and reflect—
Are we as resolved and driven by our faith in God as David? Do we seek God first with a surrendered heart, mind, and soul each day before doing anything of significance? “How deep the Father’s love for us”, the chorus we sing, “How vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure.” We were wretched and sinful who God made His precious, priceless treasure! To know who we are in midst of trouble is overcoming half the battle!
God looks over the earth in search of those whose hearts are completely committed to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) When He finds His created surrendered and committed to Him; He calls, equips, and sends us into the world, the front lines of battle, accompanied by all His power, strength, wisdom, and guidance at work within us! THIS is what I’m learning about Life to the full. THIS is what it means to walk with God, to dwell in His Holy Presence with expectant hope each day, asking for His will to be done in every detail of our lives until that Day we meet Him face to face in all His glory.
A surrender life to God is a relationship of trust driven by His love, mercy, and grace.
David knows “the Walk” and therefore is in constant communication with God in all circumstances because to David, to be in God’s Holy Presence is what he sought most in life here! This is why David was known for being one who “ran after the heart of God”. His Psalms are a testimony to the greatness of God versus the weakness of man and as one who is in constant pursuit of the One and Only Holy God in all circumstances! Imperfect David sought a Perfect and Holy God—the same God we pursue, believe, repent to, trust, listen eagerly, surrender all, and obey today! Same God. Different age, but same God!
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory…
Psalm 56, The Message
For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1-4 Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around,
stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by
but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty
to beat me up.
When I get really afraid
I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God;
fearless now, I trust in God.
What can mere mortals do?
5-6 They don’t let up—
they smear my reputation
and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
wait their chance to get me.
7 Pay them back in evil!
Get angry, God!
Down with these people!
8 You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
each ache written in your book.
9 If my enemies run away,
turn tail when I yell at them,
Then I’ll know
that God is on my side.
10-11 I’m proud to praise God,
proud to praise God.
Fearless now, I trust in God;
what can mere mortals do to me?
12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death,
my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God
in the sunlit fields of life.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
At the end of his song; David responded with thanksgiving for all God did for him.
Scriptures tell us that thanksgiving brings us right into the throne room of God. God loves a thankful people and welcomes our praises! How refreshing our words of praise with lives lived in gratitude it must be to our Father God!
We are distressed and frustrated when our children whine for more when they think we haven’t given enough to please their desires that change daily. Could it be the same or even more with God? Does our incessant whining over trivial troubles that test our faith and will fade quickly dishearten and displease Him? YES!
But being “thankful in all circumstances”, even for trials and troubles, is truly what God desires from His committed. Why give thanks in dire circumstances? It is then that God does His best maturing work in and through us! (See James 1) It is through troubles we see the Hand of God and give Him all the glory!
Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
No, but I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Source: Musixmatch, Songwriters: Stuart Townend, How Deep the Father’s Love for Us lyrics © Thankyou Music Ltd., Thankyou Music, Thank You Music Ltd.
Lord,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so grateful that you forgive our whining as soon as we repent of it all. This is a new day and I will rejoice and be glad in it for you created this day for us to enjoy walking with you. “I will stroll at leisure with You, my God in the sunlit fields of life” with expectant hope filled with your love in my heart.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 