Psalm 56
To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] “Silent Dove Among Those Far Away.” Of David. A record of memorable thoughts when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
1 Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, for man would trample me or devour me; all the day long the adversary oppresses me.
2 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up or trample me all day long, for they are many who fight against me, O Most High!
3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You.
Verse 3 has been my "go-to" verse whenever I'm overwhelmed with fear.
I used it tonight when my nearest and dearest was under bombardment in his Tel Aviv flat and I feared for his safety.
Then I realised that this Psalm was written by David when he was taken captive by the Philistines in Gath - he was a Jewish hostage!
How appropriate is this Psalm to pray into the dreadful, seemingly impossible situation where an unknown amount of innocent people have been taken captive into the terrorist web of Hamas in Gaza.
Yes, we're afraid for them and they obviously are terrified and exposed to terrible tortuous treatment.
So let's offer up this prayer on their behalves: "What time they are afraid, we will trust in You".
Your Eyes see them where they are and You are able to turn their captivity. Jesus didn't you say that you have come to declare liberty to the captives, when You read from the Scroll of Isaiah 61:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me,
because the Lord has anointed Me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
If ever we need Your intervention it is now dear Jesus. I believe that You are true to Your Word.
Let their desperate cries come up before You, bring deliverance from the Right Hand of the Father.
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