Many of us are dealing with different struggles and situations that overwhelm us. We try to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and forge on but some days are just tougher than others.
For those of us that are Christians (have accepted Jesus as Leader and Forgiver in our lives by acknowledging with our mouths and believing in our hearts that He is the Son of God who died and rose again for us and have repented of the old life and now following Him), there is some encouragement in those days in some writings of King David.
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King David was not born royalty. In the early days, the rest of the world just considered him a nobody kid who, at best, had good potential as a shepherd. God saw much more and through years of trials and situations, raised David up to be king. As we learn more about David’s story, we know it wasn’t all money and power for him. There were many seasons of pain and persecution from others. There were days that would knock most of down but God saw David through.
It was in such a time that David wrote Psalm 56 and I wanted to show you what David found that might encourage you as well.
Psalm 56: 1-4 says “Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;all day long an attacker oppresses me;my enemies trample on me all day long,for many attack me proudly.When I am afraid,I put my trust in you.In God, whose word I praise,in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.What can flesh do to me?“
At first glance, you might think just how strong David appears to not worry about his struggles. You might even be tempted to think you are so weak for not being like him . Look again.
He starts out with “Be gracious to me, O God”. To me, he’s struggling. It seems that he is saying I am hurting, I am afraid, and I am overwhelmed. I wish I was stronger Lord and I feel like I’m letting you down. Be gracious to me. Don’t be upset with me. I am but a mere mortal. He admits he gets afraid. Maybe you have been there.
But he doesn’t stop there. He goes into stating truths to recenter himself in God. I praise you God in midst of this trouble. I trust in you and what can flesh do to me? He goes from “when I am afraid” to “I shall not be afraid.”
Now that’s enough to make you feel a little encouraged and maybe even give you a second wind. A reminder to claim on to the promises of God and give it another shot. However, David goes on….
“All day long they injure my cause;all their thoughts are against me for evil.They stir up strife, they lurk;they watch my steps,as they have waited for my life.For their crime will they escape?In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
You have kept count of my tossings;put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?Then my enemies will turn backin the day when I call.This I know, that God is for me.In God, whose word I praise,in the Lord, whose word I praise,in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.What can man do to me?” (56: 5-11)
This is not a one time hit where you claim God’s promises and then life is all rainbows and unicorns. The problems did not change. This even hints that after claiming hold of God’s promises that David is struggling still emotionally at times. However, He keeps coming back. He keeps claiming the promises. He is not playing the victim card. He is holding onto the Victor.
If you are going through tough times and sleepless nights, don’t add to your burden by trying to be “Super Christian” and feeling like your failing. Keep coming back to the well for nourishment. Keep coming back to the promises for reassurance. Keep thanking Him for His grace and talk honestly with Him about where you are today.
And what else do you do as you walk through this path with Him?
“I must perform my vows to you, O God;I will render thank offerings to you.For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before Godin the light of life.” Psalm 56: 12-13
About Tom Hypes
