Read: Psalm 56
Reflect
Psalm 56:1 refers to the time when David was captured by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. Prior to being captured by the Philistines, he was on the run from King Saul who wanted him dead. It can be considered as one of the lowest points of David’s life. He begged a priest for bread and a weapon, so that he could survive. When he was captured by the Philistines, he had to pretend to be mad in order to escape possible torture and death.
Therefore, Psalm 56 was sung as a cry from David’s heart. A cry to affirm that he trusted God despite all that he had to go through. He asked of God to be gracious to him because men had trampled upon him all day long. He garnered courage from his trust of God even when his enemies plotted his death.
Two times he proclaimed: “what can flesh or men do to him?” For he trusted that God will deliver him; no matter how evil his transgressors could be. At the end of the day, David knew that God is always mightier than the most evil and powerful of foes. They are just men while God is divine. David also asked of the Lord to bring these evil men to justice. For they had falsely accused and caused him much grief.
Relate
How difficult was it for David to trust God in his situation? I think it to be very difficult because David was stripped of all his powers and companions. He was forced to brave a situation of life and death alone and without much earthly resources. He was made very low from a trusted servant of the King, to a man pretended to be mad.
Yet, David showed us an example of how our trust in God can be sustained, even in the most trying of circumstances. David’s trust was sustained because he had faith in the character of God. David knew that God is just and at the same time, full of mercy towards those who are weak against the tyrants of this world.
Therefore, David knew that God would never abandon him because He had “kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8) In other words, God remembers the tears of those who suffer injustice in the hands of evil. He will surely deliver them as He wills.
There were occasions in my life where I had felt what David felt. It certainly wasn’t as serious that I had to pretend to be mad. But it was serious enough to make me wonder if God was listening to my cries and meting out his justice against evil. It wasn’t an easy situation to go through and I would never tell anyone going through the same thing that it was as simple as “just to trust”.
David trusted God but he didn’t have it “easy”. Psalm 56 was likely to be sang in tears for the struggle was real. Similarly, I take comfort in this Psalm that the man who goes after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) would also cry even as he was faithful towards God. There is really nothing wrong to cry or struggle, even as we go through life’s very difficult moments.
David did it constantly, and yet maintained his faith in God. Such a capacity to struggle or cry is a gift from God. This gift helps us to “get it all out” to the Lord and through it, become humble enough to receive wisdom and peace from the Almighty. Pain can help us to seek God and open our eyes to a truly sinful world. But we are not to recluse ourselves from such a reality.
Instead, we are to understand more and more that indeed, we live in a world in dire need of a Savior. And as we walk in the light out of darkness, we can perhaps be more compassionate towards those in similar need. And quit saying: “I know”. No, we don’t. Only God knows. But we can do well to be with those who are experiencing pain and heartaches. Just be there and be ready to be used by God to encourage those suffering to extend their hands towards Him.
Rest
Abba Father, when we are in pain, help us to reach out to You instead of anything else. Give us the wisdom to know that the ability to struggle with You is a gift. A gift which you graciously bestow for us to know You even more. For those of us who had been through pain and found restoration in You; make us as the instruments of your peace to lead others into Your embrace. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
There is Hope (by CityAlight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QeF2rhMr6U
Jason Phua
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