Psalms 55-57

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Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed to the point where your body started physically shaking...and you couldn't stop it? Have you ever been threatened by others who wanted to kill you and had contracted professional assassins to take you out? Well, King David has!

I know it sounds extreme, but this was a daily reality for many years while David (Israel's future king after the death of King Saul) was frantically running from the elite special forces of King Saul. Imagine if you will, having King Sauls "Navy Seals" or "Green Berets" seeking YOU as a target for destruction! It would be enough to totally unnerve any of us.

While some Bible scholars belief this narrative may describing his son Absalom during his revolt against his father's rule, I tend to think it's reflective of King Saul. And, whether it's Saul or Absalom, David is terrified and tells us about it.

In Psalms 55, David (now King) I believe may have written this song while on the run from Saul's forces. There was a time when David and Saul enjoyed companionship, ate together, and worshiped God together. They formed an incredible team - especially in battle. However, Saul became jealous over David's rising stardom within the kingdom of Israel and banished him from the kingdom.

In Psalms 55, David goes into unbelievable detail as to how he was feeling and what was going through his mind during this banishment and ultimately exile-on-the-run. It was so frightening to him that his wished he could simply become a dove and fly off into a distant land far away from what he described as "this wild storm of hatred."

As terrible as David must of felt, I am also reminded of the hatred that filled Saul's heart. Saul's jealousy of David consumed him. That all consuming desire to kill David wasted an indescribable amount of resources. This rage took Saul down a path of personal destruction. Instead of focusing on more positive things he could do to help the nation he ruled, he was caged in with a tunnel vision that even surprised David. David asked Saul one day "Why do you search for me. I'm nothing but a flea."
David could not believe the hatred Saul felt.

No one was more deceitful in his attitude toward David than Saul. Saul constantly assured David of their deep, abiding friendship. It wasn't until David spoke to Saul's son, Jonathan, that he truly knew how Saul felt. I think that's why David writes:

"As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!"

Nevertheless, David put his trust in the Lord!

In Psalms 56-57, David continues to share his feelings and his willingness to trust the Lord regardless of the circumstances surrounding him. These awkward feeling between fear and faith became a battle between daily. Fear happens in the absence of faith. When you can't trust the Lord, fear takes over. And the contrary is true. Faith in God and His strength conquers fear.

David struggled with this for a long time. Fear would over take him for a while, then after thinking of and dwelling on the Lord he would push away the fear and boldly pronounce his faith in God.

Fear happens. But, when it does, turn your eyes on Jesus. When you do, the things of earth - it's trials and affliction - grow strangely dim in the light of his glory, power, and grace! Take time to read the Word of God and meditate on His promises. The results will yield strength for the journey!

What are your thoughts?