Psalm 31 Devotional
By Pastor Lawrence

Even without knowing the particular circumstances that led David to write this psalm, clearly, he is being afflicted somehow by the relentless pursuit of his enemies. Consequently, he calls upon the Lord again to be his refuge and rock, his strong fortress and deliverer. It is his fervent trust in the Lord that seems to be the primary theme of this psalm and the one that he commends to all the people of God. He commits his spirit completely into the hands of the Lord for he trusts that God will lead and guide him in the way he should go. He trusts in the Lord’s abundant goodness that has been stored up for all those who fear Him. He trusts in God’s steadfast love that never ceases to amaze him. He trusts in God’s grace in the midst of his weakness and distress, and he trusts in God’s mercy to hear his requests and deliver him in his time of need. In vv.14,15 he says simply, “I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand.”

Misplaced trust can be devastating and very painful when a person or thing you believe in betrays you, breaks your heart and leaves you all alone. All the idols of this earth will ultimately disappoint you and leave you destitute. They cannot satisfy the longings of your heart and cannot help you in your time of need. As soon as trouble comes, they will fly away like a bird. But God’s goodness lies in store for you, his love abounds for you, and his grace overflows for you. Of course, we may not always feel the truth of these promises, which is why David exhorts us to be strong, take courage and to wait for the Lord. For in due time, we will see more clearly the hand of our savior at work even in our distress. But in the meantime, we can and must put our trust in the Lord.

The ultimate test of our trust surely must be in our translation from this life unto the next, for we know so little of what comes afterward, and we are completely helpless in the face of death on the brink of eternity. What a sweet assurance it is for us to hear Christ take up the words of the psalmist while on the cross right before he breathed his last breath, saying “Into your hands I commit my spirt.” Having yoked our lives to Christ by faith, our destiny is now bound to his, thus we are greatly comforted knowing that where he is now, we will be also. Therefore, we are encouraged by these words to entrust our own soul and body to the Lord for our eternal salvation. This eternal trust, though, begins in the midst of our daily trials, when facing affliction, adversity and antagonism. Will we entrust our souls to God this day? Will we trust in His goodness and mercy today? Will we take courage in the Lord strength today? And wait upon his perfect timing, trusting that our times are in His hands?