PSALM 56 25 FEBRUARY 2008
By David

Do Not Be Afraid

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:4

Psalm 56 is a prayer for help when being attached by the enemy and David’s life is threatened. Ps 56:1-2 was David’s appeal to God for help.
The background to this Psalm is the same as previous where Saul was trying to kill David.
David was afraid and we can see this in verse 3 and verse 4. Despite his fear, he chose to trust God. The more fearful David is, the more he confessed his trust in God.
Such is David’s confident in God that he offers thanksgiving and praise to God for delivering him even though he has yet to see deliverance.
David is able to do so because he knows who God is. God is a faithful, covenant keeping God. His love for his people will never fail. Can you trust God the way David trust?

Application:
Are there any fears in your heart? The things that cause you to panic are likely to be your fear. What are these fears?
Do what David did by putting your cares and burden in the Lord. Commit the outcome to God. You can trust Him.
Memorize Psalm 56:4a
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid.”






PSALM 55 24 FEBRUARY 2008
By David

You Can Cast Your Care Unto God

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

This is another prayer for God’s Help in time of troubles. David was in great distress when he wrote this Psalm.

We can look at Psalm 55 in 3 parts:
1. Verse 1-8, David speaks of his fear of his enemy and he prays to God for his manifested favour.
2. Verse 9-15, David complains of his en enemies’ wickedness.
3. Verse 16-23, David prays that his enemy would die that they would be taken away form him. He is assured in the Lord.

Such is the confident that David has in God. He has many life’s threatening moments, yet it does not shake his faith and confidence in the Lord.
He cast his cares on the Lord because he knows that God can be trusted.

In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and he will save us. The burden of afflictions is very heavy; there is also the burden of sin and corruption. The only relief under it is, to look to Christ, who bore it.

Application:
What are your cares and burden? There are heavy and you need not carry these weights. To cast your cast upon God is to rest upon His provision and promises.
He will carry you and will strengthen your spirit by His spirit. Go to Him with your cares now! Commit your cares to the Lord in prayers.





PSALM 54 23 FEBRUARY 2008
By David

The Lord Is Our Helper

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one
who sustains me.” Psalm 54:4

This is a prayer of David for deliverance from his enemies who want to have him killed. The occasion this Psalm was written was when the Ziphhites betrayed David by telling Saul his whereabouts. David

In the first part of this Psalm, verses 1-3, David complains to God about the enemy and pray to God for help.
In Ps 54:4-7, David receives assurance of God’s favour and protection. He is being comforted.

Although David is on the run for his life, and the enemy were determined to find him to destroy him, he turned to the Lord for help. He is sure that God would be on His side. He proclaims confidently that God is surely his help in verse 4. He speaks in faith that the enemy will be removed.

God is a God of covenant with His people and David knows that full well. It is with this faith in God that he promised before God that he will give thanks and praise His name after he is being delivered from his enemy’s pursuit.

Application:
Have you given thanks to God and praise Him after He has seen you through a trying or difficult time? It is the kind of thanksgivings that comes with a grateful heart that I am talking about.
Start praising Him now!





PSALM 53 22 FEBRUARY 2008
By David

Godlessness of Man

“God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.” Psalm 53:2

Psalm 53 is similar to Psalm 14.It’s purpose is to convince us of our sins. God show us through the psalmist how bad we are.

How can men be so bad? This is because there is no fear of God. The fool says to his heart that there is no God, verse 1. Men's bad practices flow from their bad values; if they profess to know God, yet in works & thoughts they deny him, it would mean his heart has no God. Such is a man of folly.

Psalm 53 ends with the Psalmist prayer to the Lord for the deliverance of Israel. And God shall restore their fortunes.

Is there the fear of God in your heart? Do you acknowledge the Holy God in your heart? We will sin not when we fear the Lord. Ask God to show you what is in your heart.

Application:
Pray to the Lord:
“Dear God, show me how bad I can be. All my sinfulness and wickedness is naked before you. Reveal to me my corrupt thoughts, that I may know them. ”
As you pray the above prayer, wait patiently before God. He will speak.
Allow Him to review your priorities and it’s motives.
Are these priorities of God or of the world?
Take time to re-set your life’s priorities.





PSALM 52 21 FEBRUARY 2008
By David

Your Confidence & Security is God

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever,” Psalm 52:8

Psalm 52 was written when David was fleeing from King Saul. David, knew that Saul was determined to destroy him, went to take refuge. On his way, he stopped at the Tabernacle and sought help from Aimelech. The news of David reaches Saul and he ordered the death of 85 priests & all the inhabitants of Nob. The account can be found in 1 Samuel 21:1-7, 22:9-23.

Psalm 52
Verse 1-5
Wickedness of a powerful enemy and it’s destruction
Verse 6 -7
The righteous would rejoice
Verse 8 -9
Confidence & Security is in God

God will destroy the wicked. Those that glory in sin, shall glory in their shame. But those whom place their trust in God will rejoice & praise Him. They will rejoice in God’s unfailing love.
If you choose to dwell in the house of God by faith and love, you shall be like green olive-trees. You will live a life of faith and holy confidence in God and his grace.

Application:
Are you hard-pressed like David? Are there any difficult people you are facing now? Vengeance is the Lord’s, the Lord is the judge. Do not repay evil for evil by going against them. Instead, turn to the Lord to bless them. You can have confidence & security in God as you remain in His presence.




PSALM 51 20 FEBRUARY 2008
By David

Create In Me A Clean Heart

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51: 17

This is a humble prayer for forgiveness and cleansing. David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace.
This is a famous psalm. David wrote it after he had done something very wrong. He saw a woman, Bathsheba, bathing and wanted to have her. But she was the wife of Uriah. David sent Uriah to war to be killed by the Philistines so that he can have Bathsheba. He committed adultery and was responsible for Uriah’s death.

David was convicted of his sin against God as recorded in Psalm 51. He pleas for God’s mercy not to take over his spirit, Ps 51:11.
This pleases the Lord. What pleases God more than sacrifices is a humble heart that looks to him.

God rebuked Israel for its sin in Psalm 50. It was made clear to us the consequences of sin. Here in Psalm 51, we learn the importance of repentance and asking God for Pardon. David demonstrated to us how to pray to God for forgiveness and cleansing.

Application:
As much as God has convicted David of his sin, be silent before God to allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sin. Do not be blinded to your own sin and remain living in the same sinful ways. Confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness now.