Psalm 31 - In Times Of Stress, Depend on God

The author of Psalm 31 is David, although some say it could of been Jeremiah.  We can find that in times of stress, depending upon God requires complete commitment.

 

"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.  Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.  Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." ~ Psalm 31:1-5 

 

We say we have faith in God, but do we really trust him? David's words, "Into your hands I commit my spirit,"  convey his complete trust in God.  Jesus used this phrase as he was dying on the cross -- showing his absolute dependence on God the Father (Luke 23:46 - "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last.")

 

Stephen repeated these words as he was being stoned to death (Acts 7:59 - "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"), confident that in death he was simply passing from God's earthly care to God's eternal care. We should commit our possessions, our families, and our vocations to God.  But first and foremost, we should commit ourselves completely to him.

 

"You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place." ~ Psalm 31:8

 

If you feel restrained by God's moral boundaries, remember that God has given you much freedom, far more than you need to move within those boundaries.  Use the opportunities he gives you to make proper decisions. Use them wisely and they will lead to victory.

 

"Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.  My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.  Beacuse of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends -- those who see me on the street flee from me.  I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery, For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life." ~ Psalm 31:9-13

 

In describing his own feelings in the above scripture, David writes of the helplessness and hopelessness everyone feels when hated or rejected. But adversity is easier to accept when we recognize our true relationship with the sovereign God. Although our enemies may seem to have the upper hand, they are ultimately the helpless and hopeless ones. Those who know God will be victorious in the end. We can have courage today because God will preserve us.

 

"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me" ~ Psalm 31:14-15

 

In saying, "My times are in your hands," David was expressing his belief that all of life's circumstances are under God's control.  Knowing that God loves and cares for us enables us to keep steady in our faith regardless of our circumstances.  It keeps us from sinning foolishly by taking matters into our own hands or resenting God's timetable.