Words of Encouragement

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. – Psalm 56:3-5

Can God be Trusted? Trust replaces fear. This psalm of David is written regarding the time when the Philistines had seized him in Gath. You can image the fear one would face when being pursued by those that want to destroy you and keep you from reaching what your purpose is? David, however, says when he is afraid he will trust in God.

There are two important things we need to see here. The first thing is we must be real about what it is we are feeling. I have noticed this trend that states Christians should be these really strong people that have no problems (or look like it) and are always “right on”. However, I don’t see it as such. We are not to wallow in our emotions but if you have ever had to deal with an emotional matter you will understand it takes time to gain control of that thing. We are instructed to take captive our emotions and thoughts but it does not say we never have any. So David is acknowledging first his humanness. He states when I am afraid…what he does next is determine what he will do with that fear.

We also have the opposite side of what I mentioned about Christians, and that is the belief that because you are feeling hurt, or mistreated you have a right to allow your emotions to run rampant and others should simply understand. This is not an option either. When one has been hurt or mistreated those emotions are real and must be dealt with. No one is asking that they be ignored. However, we still must take control of those emotions otherwise they begin to exalt themselves above God. So David makes the decision to turn his fear over to God. He does this when he decides to trust him. He simply states it, I’m afraid, I’ll trust. As he goes further he also begins to think about what that trust entails. If I trust in God, what can man do to we anyway? Or stated differently, what can man do to me that God doesn’t allow or that God doesn’t have enough strength to overcome? He says there are those that are always plotting against him and twisting his words and we can amen that from some of our own experiences.

Yet, we must do as David did and make the decision to trust God instead of completely focusing on our problems. This becomes a faith issue. To trust in God requires us to make a decision to believe what he says is true. It is more important than simply acknowledging that God exist (he already knows that), it is what makes the relationship between man and God. We can trust him for more than where he has taken us, but also for where he is leading us.

Today I pray for us as we step forward in what God has for us. I add (and hope he doesn’t mind) a special praise of rejoicing for one of our brothers, Rev. Kevin Earley, as he has just become Dr. Kevin Earley (he just finished his Doctoral Degree at Anderson University, I believe, sorry if I’ve got it wrong). This just shows us what trust can accomplish. So when we go to worship this Sunday, let us go rejoicing and knowing that God has a path and a purpose for each of us and we can do as David (Kevin) did and determine to trust him, even when fears try to come and stop us.