DON’T FORGET THAT GOD CARES!

LET YOUR GRATITUDE BE KNOWN

READ PSALM 56

Psalm 56:8-11

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? 

There is no reason to be overcome with fear. God’s word is true, his truth is revealed clearly in Scripture, and I can trust it. It is sad, that many expect God to come to their rescue, to provide for their wants and their desires. Some pastors and religious movements even wrongly promise that wealth and health are available at the request of the believer.

God is totally aware of every sleepless night, of every tear that is shed. He is not pleased with the sin of man and finds no pleasure in a world that lives with the consequences of its wickedness. But for us to believe that God’s purposes are driven by our comfort and our wishes is totally wrong.

When the Father sent His Son to die for us and provide for our reconciliation with Him, it was at an infinite cost to Himself. The cross and the pain it caused was a cost that far exceeds our capability to understand. The cross was the culmination of a life driven by God’s eternal purposes, lived in willing humiliation, and in perfect submission to the Father.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Not only did the life and death of Christ provide for our undeserved salvation, but it provided a Savior Who not only sees what we go through, but also knows experientially what we are dealing with. He knows our weaknesses; He knows how we are tempted by our trials. This knowledge must cause us to react as David did, with complete rest and confidence. We can find grace in the time of need. Many times, our fears are driven by our uncertainties about the future, forgetting that it’s never God’s plan to give us grace that we don’t need today or not provide the grace we will need tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

Did you notice? Today there is trouble and it’s all we can handle! How many sleepless nights could be avoided if we dealt only with those things that are real and pressing us today. How wonderful is David’s assertion: “I know God is for me”. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

Is it possible that this dark moment is causing you to doubt that God is for you? Is it possible that the clouds have caused you to lose sight of the sun? David’s trials and enemies were real, but circumstances never dimmed his trust in his God.

Psalm 56:12-13

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. 

David was devoted to worshiping God. He was going to keep his promises. He knew that his God would preserve his life and keep him from falling. His walk was secure in the light of God’s direction and plan. His gratefulness was evident in his speech and actions.

Jude 1:24-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Do you feel overwhelmed? Christ is at work; He wants to present you, mature and blameless, to His Father. This work of refinement can only be done through the pain of trials. The Lord is in total control; He has always been and always will be. His authority cannot be overcome. Our steps are lit by His word; He will keep us from falling.

Dear friends, we need not fear the future because our God goes before us with power and might.