So much is going on around us that we sometimes hate to turn on the radio or television. We would just rather not have one more thing to worry about. David feared for his very life, so he was on the run for a long time. But he had such a relationship with the Father, that he drew close and comforted himself in that regardless of the circumstances, God was on his side and would protect him and love him unconditionally. Why worry dear friend, when we, as a child of the King, can do the same as David?

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2021-10-02
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 56:2-4
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 Not a day goes by without somebody harassing me. So many in their pride trample me under their feet.  3 But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before you and trust in you with all my heart.  4 What harm could a man bring to me? With God on my side, I will not be afraid of what comes. The roaring praises of God fill my heart as I trust his promises.

APPLICATION: It seems to me that there are three distinct parts to our Scripture from Psalm 56, and it would be good for us to understand each of the three:
1). Recognize our stress points – David felt like king Saul and his men were harassing him, and there were many who just trampled him under their feet, in their pride and arrogance. For us, there may be things such as Covid, or its remedies, or the things imposed to help protect us from the disease. It may be our fellow employees who degrade us and make us feel inferior. It may just be a low self esteem. I believe it is important that we not act like everything is OK, if we are actually stressed to the limit over something in our lives;
2). Know where to turn when stress becomes overwhelming – David knew that in any given day when he was feeling overwhelmed, he could pull up alongside Jesus and everything would be alright. God was the one Solid Rock in his life that brought relief and contentment. For some of you, it may be alcohol or drugs. For some it may be overeating. For some, you have to deal with the anger that wells up inside of you when others pick at you. Know where you will run to when life is filled with overwhelming stress, and it seems like every one is picking on you;
3). Be confident when you run to your rescuer – David had no doubt that when he did his part in seeking out God, or drawing closer to Him in his time of trouble, that He alone could save and only He could mend a broken and stressed heart. Let me encourage you to be that confident in the one that you place your trust and faith in to help you through life.
I believe that it is extremely helpful to also plan a time of praise and thanksgiving when you realize that God resolved your issue. So often after pleading with God for a long time, we become involved in life after seeing our resolution, and don’t remember to even return thanks to the Almighty God for His goodness. With a humble heart you may ask God for help in resolving the issues at hand, but it is always with a thankful heart that you come back to the table and thank Him for His goodness and His miraculous touch. If you’re afraid, my friend, you may not have sufficient faith to trust in God for all your problems. Strive diligently to trust in God and call on Him as Your Master and Lord.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: With God on my side, I will not be afraid!

PRAYER: Lord, as You are well aware, we are faced with one stress right after another. And even though these may not necessary come from an individual trying to harm us, yet we struggle to overcome these things. You are our strength, You are our protection and You are our provider. Please remind us of Your presence and how You are standing with open arms to receive us unto Yourself, especially when we feel overwhelmed. You provided peace in the midst of the storm for Peter and his brothers; You provided comfort and contentment for David in his time of stress, and I am convinced that You stand ready and willing to bring us comfort and release when, and as, we need it. Oh that others may see You for who You are and for all that You can be in our lives. AMEN!