Scripture:
Vs 3 When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
Vs 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
Vs 8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
Vs 9 … This I know, that God is for me.
Vs 12 … 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.
Observation:
The psalmist is not in a good way.
Circumstances are terrible.
The psalmist is afraid.
The psalmist is anxious and tossing.
The psalmist has tears.
But the psalmist has something better.
Something better than bad circumstances.
The psalmist has faith … trust in God.
And not knowledge that God simply exists, but He cares!
God is for him!
“This I know, that God is for me.”
And the psalmist has gratitude … thanks for salvation and life!
Application:
Trusting while tossing.
Thanks amidst tears.
My faith and worship of God can never be dependent upon my circumstances.
Circumstantial faith never lasts.
Because circumstances are never constant.
Even when I’m tossing and turning, I must be trusting in Him.
Even when tears flow from my eyes, thanks must flow from my mouth.
God cares for me.
God has saved me from death.
Even when things aren’t the way I’d like them to be during life, I know I walk in eternal life.
I love how the psalmist says “When I am afraid …”
And then later says, “I shall not be afraid.”
“When I am afraid, I shall not be afraid.”
It sounds nonsensical.
And it would be … without faith in a God who saves!
I will trust You when I’m tossing.
And I will give thanks even with tears.
Because You know me better than I know myself.
And I know that You are for me!
Prayer:
Thank you, God, that I walk in the light of life.
Help me to see you beyond my circumstances.
Help me give thanks always.
Help me trust always
In Jesus name
Amen