The Psalms have brought tremendous comfort and guidance to so many for so long. Join me in taking a fresh look at each Psalm. As you read through them, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement to your own life. Today, we study and reflect on Psalms 55, 56, and 57.
Reflection 1
The Psalms are so practical for today. You know that and I know that. And Psalms 55 is reading our mail right now. The Psalmist is in the middle of a huge storm and wishes to fly away and hide away. Just disappear. Wouldn’t that be nice? Ever feel like you want to just escape from your troubles and find a safe place? Of course you do. But, life doesn’t work that way does it? Really, there are only these two options at the end of the day: We either get crushed by our circumstances or overcome them with the help of the Lord. Here the Psalmist comes around to that realization and places their trust in the Lord, which is what I must do today and every day. And so must you. Be encouraged. God is with you. Put your trust in Him. Right now, tell Him your faith is centered in Christ. Find peace and rest in Jesus. He loves you deeply. I believe this with all my heart.
“I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken…as for me, I trust in you.” — Psalms 55:6-8, 16-18, 22-23
Reflection 2
David is being pursued by the Philistines and the odds are stacked against him. Crumbling beneath the fear of the moment would have been understandable. But he didn’t. And neither should we. Someone once said FEAR is “false expectations appearing real.” And the truth in this is that when we walk in faith in Christ, we need not fear, because He is always with us. We are not alone. We are never outmanned. And frankly, the odds are always in our favor because of our mighty God. Now to be fair, this is sometimes hard to remember when we are in the middle of a deep, dark pit. But that is where the facts of our faith need to rise above the facts of our fear. God is greater than our fear. God is greater than our problems. David knew it. We know it. We just need to affirm it daily and walk it out. God is with you and for you. Remember that today and every day. Be encouraged in Christ. He is with you always!
“In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” — Psalms 56:4, 13
Reflection 3
There are times when life is exceptionally hard. Not normal hard, but extra hard. In the Psalms, David often talks of such times in his life. We can relate. Here’s what David does – he finds refuge in the Lord while disaster pursues Him and until disaster passes. It’s a riveting picture to be sure. He turns to God and trusts in God and hopes for a better day. What is your “disaster” right now. I think its important to remember these real-life “disaster relief” lessons from David.
1) Your problem will not last forever, but your God will.
2) God can be called upon and trusted to encourage your heart during disasters and until they pass.
3) Use your problem as an opportunity to pivot away from self-reliance and prioritize your dependence upon God more than ever.
4) Remember that God is not the author of evil, but will turn evil into good if you trust in Him.
5) Ask God to build you during hard times and in so doing, turn your “disaster season” into a win.
“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” — Psalms 57:1-3, 5, 9-10