While in prayer this week -- the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 56.

This Psalm is meant for those who have been wounded by others; -- some hurt by family -- some by friends -- some by the words & the actions of ungodly people.

This Psalm is also for those who love the Lord -- yet who shed tears -- & carry burdens that seem to grow heavier by the day.

Some people wake up every day under a cloud of fear & despair.

Maybe you face financial problems which crush you -- & terrorize you.

Maybe you face serious health battles -- & insufferable pain.

Maybe you grieve over family members who are in deep trouble.

Maybe you have children who are in rebellion against the Lord.

Hear the blessed Word of God directly to you in your hour of need: --

Psalm 56:3 -- “What time I am afraid, -- I will trust in Thee, (Lord).”

Psalm 56:4 -- “In God I will praise His Word (His promises). -- In God I have put my trust; -- I will not fear what flesh (what mere mortals -- NLT) can do to me.”

Psalm 56:8 -- “Thou tellest my wanderings (You keep track of all my sorrows -- NLT): -- put thou my tears into thy bottle: -- are they not recorded in thy book?”

Psalm 56:9 -- “When I cry unto Thee, -- then shall my enemies turn back: -- this I know; -- for God is for me.”

Psalm 56:13 -- “For Thou hast delivered my soul from death; -- wilt not Thou deliver my feet from failing -- that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” -- Oh, beautiful, beautiful words!

These are anointed words from the Spirit of God -- directly to you!

I encourage you to pray over this Psalm -- & lay claim to it by faith!

God knows all about your struggles & your pain.

God knows where you live; -- He knows every detail of your situation; -- & He hears even the unspoken cries that pour out of your broken heart.

According to the Bible scholars -- this Psalm was written by David in one of the darkest -- & more frightening hours of his life.

It is based upon the events recorded in 1 Samuel 21.

When he was on the run from a jealous King Saul -- David took refuge in enemy territory. -- He was in terrible danger -- & he knew it!

He had fled to Gath -- the former home of the giant Goliath -- whom David had slain when he was only a young shepherd boy.

He had fled to escape the wrath of King Saul -- only to find that even there in the land of the Philistines -- his life was in great danger.

Two things David hadn’t counted on: -- being recognized; -- & that his reputation would precede him! -- He was wrong on both accounts!

And David was afraid! -- Have you ever been afraid?

A young woman was waiting for a bus in a crime-ridden area -- when a rookie policeman approached her & asked -- “Want me to wait with you?”

“That’s not necessary” -- she replied. -- “I’m not afraid.”

The rookie policeman smiled, & said -- “Well, I am. -- Would you mind waiting with me?”

Life is full of fears! -- Like that policeman -- we must admit that some times we become fearful; -- fearful about dying -- about getting cancer -- about losing our mind -- about losing our job -- about our children getting into trouble.

We don’t like to admit our fears -- so we try to ignore them -- deny them; -- or we repress our fears.

But even Christians need the kind of honesty -- that admits to our fears!

Seldom do we travel the road to heaven in a state of freedom from all fear. -- What about you? -- Is there any fear in your life, today?

On the evening before D-Day during World War II -- the captain of a Navy vessel called his men together to prepare them for crossing the English Channel.

He knew they were filled with anxiety -- so he tried to encourage them by saying: -- “When you stop to think about it -- fear is a very healthy thing.”

A third-class yeoman spoke up -- “Captain, if what you say is true -- I’m the healthiest man in the entire Navy!”

My friends -- all the Lord asks of you & me is unwavering faith!

God is stronger than our strongest foe!

Fear begins to fade as our faith grows!

The best antidote to conquering fear -- is a strong & growing faith in God

So lets look into this Psalm -- & discover what spiritual lessons we can learn -- from the Psalmist David -- right here in Psalm 56.

1. First, I would have you notice -- His Groaning Complaints!

May I read those first two verses of Psalm 56 from the NLT? -- “O God, have mercy on me. -- The enemy troops press in on me. -- My foes attack me all day long. -- My slanders hound me constantly -- & many are boldly attacking me.”

And then verses 5-7 also -- “They are always twisting what I say; -- they spend their days plotting ways to harm me. -- They come together to spy on me -- watching my every step, eager to kill me. -- Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; -- in your anger, O God, throw them to the ground.” -- Do you hear his groaning complaints?

David was the object of undeserved hatred.

His crafty enemies were actually threatening his life.

But David talked to God openly & freely about his complaints.

My friends -- are you, like David -- facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge? -- Is your heart filled with anxiety? -- Have you received unsettling news? -- Is your future uncertain?

Then -- like David -- let your fear drive you to the Lord in prayer!

The greatest benefit of fear occurs when it directs you to the Lord in a cry for help!

What are your groaning complaints?

Are you being troubled at times by gnawing worries?

Are you experiencing a sudden panic that makes your inside feel as if somebody is grabbing them with icy fingers?

No one -- not even the believer -- is immune to times of panic -- or fear.

We are living in a world plagued by fear.

People worry about illness, poverty, hardship, family disruption, war, terrorism, famine, -- & even about the future.

Are you fearful of failing health? -- Loss of income? -- Another sudden rise in gas prices? -- A breach of credit?

Is there concern for your child’s safety? -- Are you fearful of failing an important examination? -- Are you afraid of growing old; -- of being left helpless, lonely, and destitute?

Our world is dangerous! -- No street is safe; -- no home immune; -- no life guaranteed. -- Natural disasters -- accidents -- diseases -- crimes -- & war -- provide an appalling causality list each & every day.

Every newscast adds to the weight of fears pressing upon us.

I am reminded of the story that comes from Mark’s Gospel (4:35-41).

A sudden squall swept down with almost hurricane force through the funnel-like ravines above the lake of Tiberias -- 682 feet below sea level.

Huge waves washed into the little boat -- threatening to sink it.

Terrified -- the disciples of Jesus wakened Him.

How could He sleep through the howling winds -- & ship tossing tempest.

In fact -- Jesus was sleeping because He was so exhausted after a day of strenuous ministry.

Frantically -- the disciples shouted -- “Do you not care that we are perishing?”

Calmly, Jesus arose -- & commanded the raging storm to cease.

Then amid the calm & the darkness -- Jesus asked two questions of His awe stricken disciples: -- “Why are you so afraid? -- Do you not have faith in me?” (Mark 4:40).

As we voyage through the sea of life -- terrifying gales may threaten to overwhelm us. -- Illness, loss, & danger may clobber us without relief.

In our anxiety we may cry out to our seemingly indifferent Lord -- “Don’t You care about my situation? -- my problems -- my complaints?”

And Christ -- completely in control of every circumstance -- gently & lovingly rebukes us for failing to exercise faith.

He urges us to trust His almighty & all-wise sovereignty.

When God is with us -- we are safe for time & for eternity!

My friends -- what scares you today?

Is fear lurking deep inside -- or has it already surfaced?

Like David -- like the disciples -- tell the Lord all about it!

It’s far better to go through the storms of life with the Lord -- then to have smooth sailing without Him!

2. Next, I would have you see -- His Growing Commitment!

Listen as David’s commitment to trust in God begins to grow: -- vs. 3 & 4.

“But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. -- O God, I praise your Word (your Holy Word -- your promises); -- I trust in God, -- so why should I be afraid? -- What can mere mortals do to me?”

Vss. 11 & 12 -- “I trust in God -- so why should I be afraid? -- What can mere mortals do to me? -- I will fulfill my vows to you, O God -- & offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.”

My friend -- can you honestly say with David -- “In God I have put my trust; -- I will not be afraid?”

When you are feeling insecure & vulnerable to danger -- remember that you are in the Lord’s protective care.

Do what David did! -- Believe that God is in control of your situation.

God is more powerful than any threat to your well-being.

Believe His promises! -- Commit yourself to His care & provision.

Trust Him to keep His Word. -- Count on Him to be faithful.

According to James -- God does at times test our faith!

James says “when your faith is tested -- your endurance has a chance to grow” (1:3 NLT).

It has been said -- “The hardest part of faith is the last half hour” -- just before the answer comes!

My friends -- listen to the word given to us in Psalm 56: -- “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3).

Your cries & prayers have been heard by God.

Even now He is doing His secret, behind-the-scenes work of deliverance.

Until then -- He will give you mercy & strength to bear it!

In the words of that great old hymn -- How Firm a Foundation: --

Fear not, I am with thee -- O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God -- I will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee -- help thee -- & cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand. -- (G. Keith)

We have all heard the story of Helen Keller!

Born a bright & lively infant -- but at the age of 19 months -- she had a fever which left her blind & deaf.

She was a child in darkness -- who discovered a new world through the eyes & ears of others.

She is a classic example of handling life’s problems.

Helen Keller made the statement -- “I thank God for my handicaps -- for through them I found myself, my work, & my God.”

3. Finally, I would have you see -- His Great Comfort!

Look at what David says in verses 8 & 9 -- “You keep track of all my sorrows, -- You have collected all my tears in your bottle. -- You have recorded each one in your book. -- On the very day I call to You for help -- my enemies will retreat. -- This I know: -- God is on my side.”

Wow! -- What a great thought! -- What a great comfort!!

Certainly David knew the preciousness of tears -- for he is saying that God has noted every tear that David ever cried -- & collected them each one of those tears in His bottle -- & recorded it in His eternal book.

My friends -- the Lord who notes every sparrow that falls -- also marks every consecrated tear that dims the eyes of His saints.