When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. – Psalm 56:3
Peter and the other disciples knew how treacherous the Sea of Galilee could become and this night would not disappoint. The wind howled and the waves beat upon the boat. But sometime in the wee hours of the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. They were terrified, but once they learned it was the Lord, Peter became bold and asked to meet Him on the roaring sea. The disciple’s faith soared, for he climbed out of the boat, and began his intrepid walk. Even so, he was soon to sink as he became frightened of the wind and waves whipping around him (Matthew 14:22-33). Fearful, confident, then afraid again.
David, the Psalmist, experienced emotions quite similar. If Saul wasn’t seeking to find him to kill him, the Philistines were. In Psalm 56, David first writes that he is filled with fear of his enemies. Then his attention shifts to the Lord. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (verse 3). More than that, his focus moves from his fright to his trust in the Lord, for in verse 4 he changes things around to say, “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid.”
Beloved, pray that this be your focus. The wind and waves didn’t cease to crash around Peter while he was on the water, but he clung to Jesus and walked to the boat. Pray for your own faith and that of America’s leaders to hold on to Christ in the trials of the nation and in situations that may be out of your control. Always remember that God is sovereign. Although you may not see it, He is always in control. Trust Him.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 56
Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
all day long an attacker oppresses me;
2 my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many attack me proudly.
3 When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps,
as they have waited for my life.
7 For their crime will they escape?
In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
8 You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
