How to Not to Be Eaten Alive
Today’s Verse:
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. ~Psalm 56:2
David was way over his head in problems. Psalm 56 was written during the Absalom rebellion. Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel and took over the nation. David and his most loyal men escaped to avoid a conflict. David was in fear and hurt that Ahithophel, his counselor, joined ranks with Absalom. He was hurt again when Shimei, a bitter Benjamite, came forth to curse him and threw stones at him. David described his plight as being swallowed up daily. We will face adversities in life that will make us feel the same way. This morning, let us see what we must do so that we are not eaten up alive.
There is the attitude of faith.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” David had great fear that bothered him day and night when this trouble started. At first, this fear pestered him. Then, this fear paralyzed him. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” Ultimately, he got to where this pain prompted him. David said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” We will always have fear, but resolve to trust the Lord with your fear. The attitude of faith is resolving that God is bigger than the problem. The attitude of faith is resolving that God knows what to do and that He is in absolute control of the situation. When fear and the panic attack come, be moved to trust in God.
There is the advantage of faith.
“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” When we have faith, we have safety from God. When we have faith, we regain our sanity from God. Fear puts a lot of bad thoughts into our head. We need to have our minds stayed on God. When we have faith, we regain our sleep from God. The best cure for sleeplessness is a heart that trusts in God. When we have faith, we get our serenity from God. Faith is God’s panacea against fears, anxiety, and panic of all kinds.
There is the alleviation in faith.
“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” When David made this statement, he no longer felt like he was being eaten up alive. God gave him confidence. Faith accompanied with much time in prayer gives us confidence against the foe. God made him calm. He knew he had to wait on the Lord for His deliverance, but he remained calm as he continued to deal with the calamity at hand. God gave him control. His mind was no longer filled with being eaten, but instead his mind was filled with encouragement.
There is the anticipation in faith.
“For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” David came to the realization that if God wanted him dead, he would have been dead a long time ago. He regained a right mind, and saw that there was still work to do in the kingdom. He anticipated being delivered from the trial he was in. He anticipated God overthrowing the counsel of Ahithophel and one day being back on his throne.
Our problems can make us feel like we are being eaten alive. In Psalm 56, David repeatedly says he trusted in God. Trust in God with whatever you are facing, and don’t be a victim of fear!
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 7-9