IN TIMES OF SEVERE TRIAL

PSALM 57

INTRODUCTION

'Altaschith' means "do not destroy", a command to the chief musician, or perhaps the title of a melody used for several Psalms. Michtam of David is an inscription, writing of David. ".in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge" (v 1 ) is a description of the protection of God for His people. It is described as the shelter or 'shadow' of His wings, an image that arises from the familiar sight of mother birds protecting their young from surrounding predators (v 1 ). The harsh environment that threatens to undo God's people where the wicked seem to get their way and prosper - No so! What is your response in times of severe trial? When the situation is most precarious and perilous, where is your anchor? For the psalmist, it is in His God whom he sought to find as his only refuge. The financial crisis is taking its toil since the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

This is the report of the economic situation in China. "Unemployment is rising dramatically as thousands of small and medium-sized companies in the industrial beltways of the Yangtze and Pearl River delta trim staff or close shop as overseas orders decline. About 6.7 million jobs have been lost so far this year, and about 670,000 firms have closed, according to figures released by an adviser to the State Council this week (19th Dec 2008). And with an estimated 4 million workers streaming back to their home provinces from wealthy coastal areas and industrial zones in November, Beijing is digging deep in an effort to reboot its growth model.As of Dec.18, China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was down about 58% from its levels a year earlier, and about 67% from its all-time high in October 2007."

This is the news on Singapore. More than 35 people in Singapore lost their jobs every day between July and September this year, a large jump from 21 a day in the preceding three months. The increase signals the start of the economic crisis, captured vividly in the latest figures released by the Manpower Ministry on 15th Dec, last week. The ministry's report shows 3,178 people were laid off or had their contracts ended prematurely in the third quarter. This is a 70 per cent spike compared to 1,884 in the second quarter, and marks the highest number of job losses since the last quarter of 2006. Still, analysts say the situation will only get worse. That is because the July to September figures do not fully capture the total impact of the financial fallout sparked by the collapse on Sept 15 of American investment bank Lehman Brothers. As it is, every economic indicator in the ministry's report bore bad news."

Observe that the psalmist emphasized the mercy and truth of God throughout the psalm. The mercy of God is His goodness and kindness. The truth of God is His steadfast adherence to His moral character of holiness. The background to the psalm is described in 1 Samuel 24:1-22 . David was being pursued by King Saul and his chosen men of 3000. Although King Saul fell into the hands of David when he was in a cave 'to cover his feet', a euphemism to describe 'easing nature' or 'to do his necessities", he was not harmed. David emphasized time and again to his men that King Saul was his master, the LORD'S anointed (1 Sam 24:6 ,10 ). David did righteously by not sinning against His God in an effort to escape the clutches of his enemies. As King Saul himself confessed, "For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day." (1 Sam 24:19 ) What should the Christian do in times of severe trial?

The word "trusteth" is the same word for 'refuge' when he said "in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge". The first is a completed action in the perfect tense and the second is a future action in the imperfect tense. The psalmist confessed that the only refuge for him in his trouble is the mercy of His LORD. He calls out twice in the opening verse for God to show favour to him.

'.until these calamities be overpast' tells us that the trials of life have a set period. While we are being trialed, we are to pray unceasingly seeking God's mercy. The plea turns to a mournful cry. He trusted in the power and strength of God to help him - '.God that performeth all things for me'. He knew that in a matter of time, God will send help for him. Therefore he is to tread and walk righteously amidst many temptations to take matters into his own hands. David had to restrain (stayed 1 Sam 24:7 ) his servants from committing murder.

Illustration

It is during the affliction of the saints that the fruit of affliction of grows. For John Bunyan, his imprisonment gave us 'The Pilgrim's Progress.' And the afflictions of William Cowper gave us 'There is a Fountain Filled with Blood' and 'God Moves in a Mysterious Way'. As for the afflictions of David Brainerd, he gave us a published Diary that has mobilized more missionaries than any other missionary work. The confinement of Bunyan taught him the pilgrim path of Christian freedom. Cowper's mental illness yielded sweet music of the mind for troubled souls. Brainerd's misery of isolation and sickness exploded in global missions beyond all imagination. (Taken from The Hidden Smile of God by John Piper).

For David, God was preparing him to unite all Israel as a united kingdom 'And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.'

Application

We read today of many big names in across all industries succumbing to the pressure of success at the expense of righteousness. The US$50B fraud case with the man at the helm of the US stock exchange and most recently the Indian Software CEO who faked US$1B in profits are examples of those who fall under the severe pressure of trial and temptation. They failed to be honest.

'God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.' The combination of God's mercy and His truth is a most potent combination for the Christian undergoing trial. His mercy is fulfilled by unceasing prayer. His truth is found in His Word in a sanctified and righteous life as the apostles said in Acts 6:4 'But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.'

Although the enemy King Saul, is very powerful, able to inflict grave harm, David was always on the run to avoid being javelined to death. He succeeded with God's help through constant prayer and righteous conduct. Our Lord Jesus said, 'But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.' (Luke 6:27-28 ) The wicked cannot escape the judgment of God. God will deal with the wicked in His time. We see the description of the wicked in verse 4 that put the psalmist in a most perilous plight.

Illustration

The moral law of God summarized in the Ten Commandments is a universal law that holds true whether we obey them or not. The consequence of breaking the moral laws is God's punishment! No man can escape with impunity. Hence, God's people must fear God and live righteously lest we are judged by God. This is the will of God, may we humbly submit to His Word. And where we have submitted to God according to His will, we can do as Job did - 'In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly' (Job 1:22 ). What was his response under severe persecution? Job 2:10 'But he said unto her (Job's wife), Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.' Then finally in Job 42:1-6 'Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' Job lost ten children, all his wealth and his health to learn the lesson of trusting God and taking Him at His Word. Surely we have suffered less, will we not hang on and persevere on in faith and not give up?

There is no doubt that God's people who binds the truth about their neck and live by God's laws will succeed with God's help to overcome the most severe of trial. This understanding causes the psalmist to be established in his heart when he said again twice as he had sought for mercy, 'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed.' The renewal of his faith when he experienced the steadfastness of God in delivering him from yet another impasse caused him to break forth in singing of praise and thanksgiving. His heart is stirred to glory and praise God and to sound forth the testimony of God's exceeding goodness to him so that others too may experience the joy of a close walk with God.

Our Lord Jesus sets for us the supreme example of endurance amidst sufferings and afflictions, Isaiah 53:7 'He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.' We can come to Him to cast all our burdens upon Him in our every affliction. Amen.