Shahara C. Jackson

Lord, show me your kindness and mercy, for these men oppose and oppress me all day long. Not a day goes by without somebody harassing me. So many in their pride trample me under their feet. But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before you and trust in you with all my heart. What harm could a man bring to me? With God on my side, I will not be afraid of what comes. The roaring praises of God fill my heart as I trust his promises. Day after day cruel critics distort my words; constantly they plot my collapse. They lurk in the dark, waiting, spying on my movements in secret to take me by surprise, ready to take my life.
Psalm 56:1-4 (TPT)

According to its website, “The Passion Translation (TPT) is a balanced translation that tries to hold both the essence of Scripture’s literal meaning and original message in proper tension.” As I read this text in multiple versions, (KJV, AMP, NLT and The Message), I was drawn to the Passion Translation because the words in this translation are literal and visceral. David, the writer of this psalm, is believed to have been in his twenties when he penned this plea to God. He is thought to have fled his enemies and returned to the land of Gath, which is home to a previous foe, Goliath. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. We all face challenges on a daily basis. As a result of our state of being, as humans, we all experience (continuously) a form of adversity in our lives.

Yet, when it seems as though there is trouble all around – on every side, what is the formula to persevere and to see our way through? David reminds us to lay our fears before God and to trust in God with all of our heart. There may be times when we lay our fears down, and keep our eyes fixed on them. That is not David’s instruction. We are told to lay them down and to trust God. The scripture goes on to say that we will not be afraid of what comes because we can fill our heart with praise unto God and trust His promises. The enemy is lurking, as in 1 Peter 5:8, “looking for someone to devour”; yet remember God is omniscient, and omnipresent – everything, everywhere all at once.

We know the pain and betrayal that Christ endured; yet we also know that He is triumphant over the plans of His enemies and every scheme was thwarted. While He was troubled on every side, yet not distressed; cast down, but not destroyed – He was slain, yet He also was raised and it is the Resurrection which is the foundation of our faith.

When all around my soul gives way, remember:

God is fighting for us
Pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
That cannot be shaken
In the name of Jesus
Enemy’s defeated
And we will shout it out
Shout it out!

Reflection: What is the formula for the daily challenges of life? Formulas, the patterns we follow in life, are used everywhere. If (x), When, not if, trouble comes, then (y), Shout unto God with a voice of triumph, and (z), Trust God’s promises.

Prayer: Lord, we know that trouble awaits us, and we are not exempt from pain. Help us to trust in your perfect plan for our lives. Give us the strength and wisdom to put our faith in your hands. Throughout this lenten season, remind us of the journey that Christ endured to Calvary. Allow us to acknowledge that some days will be Palm Sunday and others will be Good Friday, yet put a shout in our hearts as we journey toward Resurrection Sunday. Amen.