Together in Christ: 'Trust in the Face of Attack' — Psalm 56:1-4

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 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?

— Psalm 56:1-4 NLT

Key Thought

Very few followers of Jesus make it through life without being unfairly attacked, ridiculed, hounded, slandered, or abused. Jesus warned us that if people did these things to Him, our Savior and Lord, they would do it to us. [1] The apostles were unfairly treated yet considered it an honor to be persecuted as Jesus had been. [2] Paul warned his trainee, Timothy, that the godly would go through hardship and abuse. [3] So, what do we do? What can we learn from David as he faced a dangerous and difficult time at the hands of the Philistines? [4]

David placed his faith in God. He proclaimed that he trusted in God. By faith, David declared that God was always with him and would not abandon him. [5] He openly shared his problems with God in prayer and song. He refused to fear because he trusted the Lord, the Eternal One. At the same time, David prayed and begged God to have mercy on him in his time of distress. David also reminded himself that the Lord, the Eternal, was God, and those who opposed him were mere mortals. All of this [6] allowed David — and if we follow his lead, will allow us — to stand in the face of great opposition, attack, ridicule, unfairness, and slander.

This confidence that David had in God leads him to finish the psalm we have as our verse today with these words of assurance and confidence in deliverance:

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. [6]

David's confidence anticipated the declaration of the apostle Paul when he was under threat and persecution:

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. [7]
[1] John 15:20-21.
[2] Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:16.
[3] 2 Timothy 2:12, 3:12.
[4] 1 Samuel 21:12-22:1.
[5] See Paul say a similar thing about us in Romans 8:32-39.
[6] 75 psalms are attributed to David. We can learn much about his faith from these psalms as David shares his circumstances, faith, fear, trust, emotions, and attitudes. The compilation of this paragraph comes largely from the Psalms of David and how they reveal his inner faith, dealing with fear, facing enemies, and confessing sin.
[7] Psalm 56:12-13.
[8] 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I trust in you. You alone can deliver me from those who oppose, attack, and belittle me. I have trusted You because I have seen Your faithfulness to Your promises and people. When I begin to be afraid, I pour my heart to You and remember that You are God, the Eternal One, and those seeking to wound and destroy me are mere mortals. So, dear Father, please deliver me, for I trust you! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Samuel 21:1-22:1; Hebrews 13:5-6
  • Psalm 46:1-11

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Catherine of Siena:
"Nails were not enough to hold God-and-man nailed and fastened on the Cross, had not love held Him there."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Giving No Offense' (1 Co. 10:23-11:1)
"Dear Father, Keep me from giving offense to people of any race, any class, any tradition, not seeking my own advantage, but let me please everybody -..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'I Will Sing Praise to Your Name' (Ps. 9:2)
"I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 103:6
"The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. "

Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 56:1-4 NLT — O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 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?

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ