Psalm 56:1-4

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
    all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long;
    in their pride many are attacking me.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
     In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

– Psalm 56:1-4 NIV

Devotion

Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous or likely to cause pain. The less control we have over a situation, the more we fear. Many parents experience fear for their children, spending sleepless nights worrying about what might or might not happen to them. On Mother’s Day weekend, Tammy Alber explained to the congregation how, as the mother of teenagers, she needs to trust God more and more as they mature and learn to be independent, especially during times like when they get their driver’s license and leave the driveway on their own for the first time. In this Psalm, David describes what he does when he is afraid – he puts his trust in God. David was no longer paralyzed by worries about his enemies, realizing the limits of what his enemies could do to him. They could inflict suffering, pain and even death, but no person could rob him of his soul or his future beyond this life. He knew that God is sovereign and in control of every situation. We can also trust in our God who is in control of everything in this life and the next.

The Big Question

Do you have trouble handing control over certain things to others? Sometimes it seems easier and more comfortable to try to handle things ourselves. We don’t trust that others can “do the job” as well as we can, even God. What do you worry about most? How do you try to remain in control of the situation? Will you trust God and give him a chance to work it out in His way? Ask someone close to hold you accountable in this area and see how freeing it can be.