Dec 28 Daily Reflection

Morning
Psalm 56:1-7

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

Have you ever felt pursued by enemies? I certainly have. Sometimes these feelings are unfair and exaggerated by the turmoils of living among broken people like me. Sometimes they are fair because broken people sometimes like to inflict pain. Where do you turn to? Is the love of the creator enough? Will you run to him for refuge? Or insist that you need more?

Afternoon
Psalm 56:8-11 

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

What can man do to you if God is for you? Rest in the good news today that you have a greater one who is for you.

Evening
Psalm 56:12 – 13  

I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

What does it really mean to walk before God in the light? This is a fitting conclusion to this Psalm. Do we walk in light obediently serving our God even as our enemies torment us? Or do we tend to trust in a simpler gospel that determines we are always right? As you deal with those who pursue you, recognize that you are not always right either.