Psalm 56 (NRSV)
In God I trust
Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
all day long foes oppress me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many fight against me.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid;
what can flesh do to me?
All day long they seek to injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk,
they watch my steps.
As they hoped to have my life,
so repay them for their crime;
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 record?
Then my enemies will retreat
in 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 am not afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?
My vows to you I must perform, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from falling,
so that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
DEVOTION
How I love how scripture always meets you exactly where you are!
I feel like I could have written Psalm 56 over the last couple of days.
Have you ever been through a season in your life that feels highly anxious, worrisome, or fearful?
I'm sure if you are a living, breathing, adult you most certainly have!
Whether you have conflict on the job, bills that are overdue, wayward children who won't mind, a spouse who has gone astray, confusion about a big decision, anticipation over good things that may or may not come, trouble being patient, or any other challenge--it is always a good idea to put your trust in God!
I love the words, "O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
Indeed, there is not a more secure place to put our trust in times of trial, tribulation, heart ache, and/or pain. God loves us and proved it when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
God cares about us and wants only the best for us.
I was profoundly touched as I read the words, "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record?"
Hallelujah! Isn't it amazing that the Alpha and Omega, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, has time to gather all of our tears into a "bottle" and to record our every pain?
When we are afraid, we are invited to run into the loving arms of God! In that place of peace, comfort, and safety we will find all that we need to rest patiently on the manifestation of God's help and God's miracle for our lives.
Be at peace friend of God. All is well...
Will you please pray with me?
Holy One, thank you that when I am afraid, I can put my trust in you. You have never left me, nor forsaken me and you have always come through for me. Please help me to remember all of the other miracles I have experienced in my life and please help me to be patient as I await another. I love you so much and I promise to share our love with everyone I meet. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL
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