On the run, David was caught in what we would call “between a rock and
No matter what the situation, we know we can turn to God for mercy, for guidance, and for patience.
hard place.” Running from the wrath of King Saul, David was sure he would meet death if captured. However, he was running toward the town of Gath, where his enemy, the Philistines, awaited him. The Philistines hated the Israelites, but David was not just an Israelite. He was the Israelite shepherd boy who had killed their champion, Goliath, with a mere stone. David was certain that death waited him for whichever road he chose, so in Psalm 56 he chose to plea for God’s mercy. “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back, this I know; for God is for me” (vs. 9)
Psalm 56 personifies a situation we have all found ourselves in, a situation where we are so overwhelmed with problems, we can see no way out. So, in despair, we plead for God’s mercy and wait for an answer. Most likely, our troubles are not resolved overnight. So, in our impatience we find ourselves once again submitting to despair. Even in our despair, we know there is hope. So, we continue to petition in prayer and place our faith in God
No matter what the situation, we know we can turn to God for mercy, for guidance, and for patience. In faith, we turn to God, but when our human weaknesses challenge our faith, we need only to remember this: “God is for me.”
