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'Winging It
by Stan Smith
Psalm 56 is a psalm by David, written when the Philistines seized him in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-11). As his friends and enemies trampled him, he wrote, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You" (Psalm 56:3).
Why? Why would someone trust in God when they are afraid? I mean, it's not like God always prevents pain. It's not like trusting God guarantees our comfort, our health, our well-being. The Bible doesn't teach that if you trust God, everything will be peachy for you. So why should we trust in God when we are afraid?
It is not based on us -- our comfort, our health, our ease. It is based on a view of God. It is based on confidence in His character. We believe that God is good (Mark 10:18; James 1:17; Psalm 145:9; Romans 8:28). Our word, "good," actually has its origins in the word "God." He defines good. We believe that God is love (1 John 4:7-8). That doesn't mean He's a hunk of gooey warm feelings. It means that He defines love. He is the source of love (1 John 4:7). We believe that God has all power (Genesis 17:1; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 19:6). Nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26). We believe that God is sovereign (Ephesians 1:11; Acts 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15). He always accomplishes what He intends (Daniel 4:35; Psalm 115:3).
Starting first with God, then, we go back to us. We face dire circumstances, painful events, bad people, a host of difficulties. Scary things. God doesn't offer a promise that we won't. What we know is that God is in charge of everything, He is good, and He is accomplishing His will. That God loves us. On the basis of His nature and promises, then, we can be confident in pleasant and unpleasant, good and not so good, success and defeat, comfort and discomfort that He is still on the throne, He is still accomplishing His good will, and He loves us.
All of us can say with good cause, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."
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I'm married with four grown children and (currently) four grandchildren. My wife and I live in sunny Phoenix by choice. I hope to encourage people with my words and to share with others what God has shared with me.
For more writings you can see my blog at birdsoftheair.blogspot.com.
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