Have you ever felt surrounded by the enemy and abandoned by the Lord?  This was David’s situation in Psalm 31.  While he was surrounded by enemies, the Lord never abandoned him.  He acknowledged his panic and overreaction towards the Lord in verse 22 when he said, “In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight.’”  David’s fear caused him to question God’s presence, provision, and power.  This is a psalm of refuge!  It reminds us when the enemy around and within tries to overcome us, we must run to Jesus our Rock and Defender!  David said God was his refuge, rock, or fortress in verses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 19.  He said, “I trust the Lord” in verses 6 and 14!  When the enemy surrounds us, we must remember God is our “shelter” (v. 20) and He alone “preserves” (v. 23) those who love and are true to Him.

David was in a tight spot.  Have you ever been in one of those?  We know this because he said the Lord had “set his feet in a spacious place” (v. 8).  David’s circumstances were affecting him spiritually, but also emotionally and physically.  He was “in distress” and his “eyes grew weak with sorrow” and “soul and body were filled with grief” (v. 9b).  What an all-out attack! David knew the cure and asked the Lord to “be merciful to me” (v. 9a).  Verse 10 tells us he was in anguish, groaning, affliction, and his bones were weak.  Verse 11 said his friends, neighbors, and all who saw him on the street were against him – or at least that is what David felt.  When we take our eyes off the Lord, we can think that a few enemies means that everyone is against us.  David even heard people “whispering against him” (v. 13), conspiring to take his life.  What did David do under so much stress and duress?  He praised the Lord (v. 21) for His abundance (v. 19) and encouraged others to “be strong and take heart all who hope in the Lord” (v. 24).  Our hope in every situation is found only in the Lord!

Questions:

1.  In what situation are you not trusting the Lord?
2. Have you allowed the devil to manipulate your thoughts and reactions to make your situation seem worse than it is?
3. In what ways are you proving the Lord is your refuge?  What have you done to show Him this?

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for your abundant strength, mercy, and love.  When I am surrounded or feel overwhelmed, I will praise you and tell everyone of my trust in You.  I am confident Your ways and thoughts are better than my own.  I submit my thoughts, actions, and situations into Your hands.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.