06/05/2026
Hear the words from our Team Chaplin, Joey Hawkins.
What can they do to me?
Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:1-4 (NIV)
Psalm 56 is a fascinating one. If you read the title of the Psalm, it tells us it was written by David “when the Philistines seized him in Gath.” The record of that is found in 1 Samuel 20. David had been on the run from King Saul, viewed as a threat to his reign. So he flees to the enemy of Israel, the Philistines, the same people that the famous giant Goliath was from. When Achish the King of Gath discovers this, David realizes he is in great danger. So it says in 1 Samuel 21:13 (ESV) “ So he (David) changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard.” David literally has to feign insanity in order to save his own life. In a humorous moment when David is brought before King Achish, Achish states (my paraphrase) “Why do I need David? I’ve got plenty of crazy people around me already!”
This is the context then of David’s words, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” He had every reason to fear, on the run from his own countrymen and now discovered by the King of his enemies. Rarely do we face such threats to our safety, yet if your mind is anything like mind, it’s always trying to convince me of the fears and threats all around me. David reminds you and I that God is the source of our trust. First, because God’s word is the only word that can speak truth and remind us of our place. That is why it is worthy of praise, it is the words holy, just and true. And second, because God is the only one with ultimate trustworthiness. Human beings will always disappoint to one degree or another but God’s word and character stands in all circumstances. No one can threaten that or take that away.
So when you face the troubles of life this week, no matter what they may be, remember to place your faith and trust in God and seek after him. Then you can say with David “What can mere mortals do to me?”
Joey