A quick note of thanks to open this week’s writing for our Pastors and Pastor Appreciation
At BBC, we are thankful for the faithful preaching, teaching, and study of God’s Word. October is Pastor Appreciation month, and we are certainly thankful for our pastors. Pastor Zad Tomberlin is our senior Pastor at Bethlehem, and we are blessed by his love for the Lord, his family, and his love for the flock at BBC. This is a word of gratitude for his obedience to the Word of God – and the commitment he, his wife and his family makes to serve our church so well.
We are also blessed to be served by Pastor Carl Croft, who has devoted his life to faithful shepherding in the Lord’s church. He served faithfully as Interim Pastor at BBC, and now serves as the Associate Pastor of Senior Adults. We are truly thankful for his wife, his family and ministry. One of our members, Kate, share a wonderful word of thanks on behalf of the church yesterday – you can view that here.
As Pastors at BBC, we are truly thankful to serve the Lord, His Church and the congregation at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Thank you on behalf of the pastoral staff for the love and support the church showed us through words of encouragement, gifts and fellowship meal.
Psalm 56 and Trusting God Who Holds All Control
Through our studies in Sunday School, Exodus, James, and Wednesday Night studies, one thing is clear – God is sovereign, and He alone is in control. Through personal study of the Psalms, God continues to impress this truth. Psalm 56 was written by David when he was fleeing from Saul. He took refuge during this time of trouble in a city called Gath (1 Sam 21:10-15) – which was also the home of Goliath. We see a clear picture of just how desperate David was to find escape in the hometown of his enemy. In an effort to survive, David acted insane so the people of Gath would leave him alone. It’s during this time David turned to God in his prayers. This is what led to him penning down Psalm 56. He was fearful, uncertain about what would happen next, in danger and grasping at straws. His faith under pressure serves as a great reminder from the Word of God for us today.
Psalm 56: 1-13
“1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 5 All Day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lur; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. 7 For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”
A few things to notice from this passage:
David’s worry, fear and tears were a reality. He does not keep his focus on his circumstance – rather he recognizes God is where his heart and thoughts should be focused. David said earlier in the passage in verse 3:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Would David’s circumstances change immediately? No. However, his heart would find rest in the God who never changes. He recognizes in verse 4 that flesh can do nothing to his soul eternally. That in the face of trial, tribulation, fear and fleeing – His God was in control and the rest of his soul. He knows that God intimately knows Him as was with him. Take note of this truth from verse 8.
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”
Through the sleepless nights, tossing and turning, through every tear David shed, God takes notice of His children. He records them – this is not a distant God who knows nothing about His people, but a compassionate Father who loves and cares for His children.
The God Who is in Control, and the Comfort of that Reality
There is a beautiful truth from Psalm 56 about God’s sovereignty and His control: “This I know, that God is for me.” (Psalm 56:9). Those few words not only anchored David’s soul, but they should anchor ours. God is for us. He is not indifferent. He is actively working His purposes for our good, and ultimately for His Glory (Romans 8:28). BBC touched on this during this week’s discipleship training class as we looked at “The Purpose of the Christian Life.” The Westminster Catechism states that the chief “end” of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. When we study God’s Word, and begin to know God by what He has revealed about Himself in His Word – we see He is good, He is in control, He has purposes that He is working out by His will, and He is working for the good of those who are called according to his purposes. Psalm 56 serves as a reminder that God’s control and timing are perfect. David trusted in this truth.
Spurgeon is quoted by saying, “Faith, when exercised under trial, is always the most precious. God’s promise is the best pillow for an aching head.”
Trusting God in Uncertainty – Practically
- Move from Fear to Faith – Like David, confess your fear to the Lord and do not live in it. When the flesh attacks, focus your thoughts on God. Remember, these times are open invitations by God for trust in Him.
- Remember God’s Cares for You – He sees your tears and knows when you toss and turn. Remember that God is the one who orders the steps of a righteous man. (Psalm 27:33)
- It is God alone who brings true peace and rest – Even when we can’t see the outcome, that does not change the truth that God is in control. We are safe in His care.
- Rehearse the truths of God’s Word and the Gospel daily – David’s trust grew by God’s Word. Notice verse 10. It is God’s Word that leads David to praise. His Word has not changed, and for the believer, this is the outcome of meditation in scripture.
It is God’s Deliverance that We Cling To
Praise God for the Gospel, and for the Savior in whom we find our redemption. It is the believer’s present reality that God has, as David says, “delivered my soul from death.” This leads to a life of walking before God in the light of life, as verse 13 states. What a blessed hope that our gracious God has extended through His son Jesus. This is a truly present help in a time of trouble. David looked past the danger and turmoil of his circumstances to know that his confidence wasn’t in himself, his circumstances or fears, but in the God who holds control of all things.
When the enemy, your flesh and the world speaks fear to you – remember: we are secure in the Sovereign Lord, we are in His sight, He holds us fast, you are eternally secure, His Word never fails (including His faithful promises) and He knows the beginning from the end.