TO CHEW ON: "In You O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed … " Psalm 31:1
I don't know what situation David was in when he wrote this psalm, but it was obviously not a good one. In it he expresses his determination to trust God through whatever. I see in it many shades of trust:
- "In You O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed" is his flag plant. He has made up his mind he'll trust in God—not anyone or anything else (and please, God, don't let me be wrong: "Let me never be ashamed").
- He trusts God to hear his prayers for defense and protection - Psalm 31:2.
- He trusts God to guide him - Psalm 31:3.
- He trusts God to outwit his enemies - Psalm 31:4.
- He trusts God instead of other things that would compete for his trust—"idols" - Psalm 31:6.
- He will trust God with his very self, even in death. Who of us doesn't hear David's words here echo from the cross as Jesus' last human cry: "Into Your hand I commit My spirit" - Psalm 31:5 compare Luke 23:46.
What aspects of trust are we needing to exercise today? Whether we're at the beginning of our faith journey deciding if we'll trust God at all, at the end and about to abandon our spirit to Him in death, or anywhere between, needing help, protection, guidance, smarts, or courage to trust Him above money, human wisdom, power, influence or any other 'idol,' let's make David's words of resolve to trust God our own.
PRAYER: Dear God, help me to prove Your trustworthiness in the crucible of life, as I lean on You in day to day situations. Amen.
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
