Psalm 56-57
“Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.”
Psalms 56:1-2
There are real enemies that I face every day. If I’m not facing enemies, I should wonder why. God said the devil is as a lion searching for his next victim!
Sometimes I start to view “peak Christianity” as a place in my life when I will finally be without troubles. There is a false belief that once I am right with God, my life will consist of sunshine, fresh coffee, and cute calligraphy Bible verses all over my house. How am I suppose to obtain this serenity when we are moving to underdeveloped, hot Africa? The truth is I’m not called to a nice life. There is nowhere in the Bible that shows a life lived for Christ is one of simplicity and ease. Instead I have a higher calling. Even more exciting than that is I have a living God to battle with me every step of the way.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
Psalms 56:3-4
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”
Psalms 56:8-11
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.”
Psalms 57:1, 7, 9-11
These verses are so encouraging to me! In my fear I can trust in him. He keeps my tears and knows my hurting heart. GOD IS FOR ME! He is my refuge. My heart can be fixed on Him even in trouble. I will praise Him!
The delusion of “peak Christianity” makes me associate a difficult time with failing God. If I have enemies to fight it’s not because God is mad at a shortcoming in my life. If “God is for me” would he give me trials just to see me crumble? That does not sound like a friend that is for me. So His intention must be of good nature and will work together FOR GOOD! (Romans 8:28) Every difficult problem is one more way God is giving me to showcase His power in my life. Through this I can have unspeakable joy.
Moving to Burkina Faso seems scary up front. I’m four months pregnant, have a one year old baby boy, and have never even been to West Africa. When I attempt to look at everything this year might hold, I become increasingly worried and afraid. God knows these fears and has given me these Psalms along with many other Scriptures to comfort me.
God has helped me view life a different way. Every morning I need to wake up and look at my circumstances. Who am I? Where am I? What is happening in my life right now? Could I ever look at my “lot” in life and think the tasks I’m given are too much? Maybe God mistakenly lead me down a path that wasn’t actually meant for me. Can I move to a hard, foreign place? Can I have a baby on the mission field? Can I face brand new enemies and hardships? Can I possibly learn a new language with two small children? Can I be a true help meet to such a great man of God? If I know that God is God. If I know that he makes no mistakes. Then I have only to believe that I am entirely capable of everything he has set before me! Without Him I am nothing. I am so thankful that I have the REAL God to help me face real enemies and problems.
Psalm145five 