Unfortunately, we live in a world where it seems that terrors are multiplying. None of us want to be in a place of terror and yet we have all been there one way or another. Certainly, our family has been at the center of some terror in the past few months in Ukraine.
At first it was rumors of war. Tanks, artillery, soldiers, weapons of every kind moving in on three sides of the country. For at least a month we received almost daily communications from the US government to leave the country.
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Then on the morning of February 24th we were woken by a phone call at 5:00 AM to inform us that the war had begun. Christina saw one of the first missiles directed at our city fly past our living room window and 30 seconds later we felt the boom. Now we knew war had started!
When it comes down to it, terror is something that happens in the heart of man. On one hand you can’t control it very well and on the other hand there are things we can and should do at Christians to keep terror from ruling our lives. In fact, as Christians we have a unique advantage when it comes to terror, we have the greatest, most powerful, and most effective anti-terror weapon, which is the Word of God and presence of His Spirit in our lives.
Today we will look at Psalm 31. We will take a deep dive into the terror of David’s heart. In doing so we must examine our own hearts. We must recognize our terrors and learn to deal with them the way David did. This is not an exercise for the faint of heart, so I encourage you to take up your shield of faith and breastplate of righteousness. We need sober minds and hearts to look into these things. We need honesty with ourselves and courage to recognize that which terrorizes our hearts. May God humble us as we look to his Word and see our own hearts in the heart of David.
Introduction to Psalm 31
We must remember that a psalm is never meant to be a theological treatise or a “how to…” nevertheless we find within each psalm deep theological truths and guidance that can help us how to get through many different situations in life.
First, however, a psalm represents the heart and the emotions of its author. Here, like in so many other psalms we see tension within the heart of David. We see his fear and we see his faith, we see his anguish and we see his answer. We must recognize this Psalm for its beauty, for its spiritual and emotional power, and for its depth of truth and wisdom. As we look to this psalm we must allow ourselves to see ourselves through the eyes of David. As we step where David stepped I believe we will not only see the relevant theological truths but that God will also deliver to us the real help and healing that we need in these terrifying times.
- David heard terror on every side
Psalm 31:13 NIV – 13 For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
You might be wondering why I am starting with verse 13 in the psalm. The reason is because like many psalms, the middle is often the climax or the hinge of the psalm upon which the rest of the psalm hangs. This is true for psalm 31. Here we see David building to a point and he completes this with verse 13 which is the middle of the psalm.
Let’s look at how David built up to this verse. This middle section starts in verse 9 where David tells us “I am in distress!” As we read from verse 9 through verse 13 we get a very graphic picture of what terror looks like.
Here are some of the words David uses to describe his terror:
| Distress | Reproach |
| Grief | Dread |
| Sorrow | Dead |
| Sighing | Broken vessel |
| Failing strength | Affliction |
| Bones wasting away | Anguish |
All these words can be found in the middle section of this psalm. This is very heavy, very dark, very foreboding, very hopeless! And this is how David felt! He was being honest with God, with us, with his emotional and spiritual state. First of all, let me say that all of us connect with some of these words at times. Some of us connect with these words more often than others. If you have had or if you have some of these feelings you need to know that you are in good company. You’re not the only one. In fact, you’re in the company of King David himself!
The initial feeling of terror is not a sin!
I want you to notice that the Bible never once condemns David or us for feeling this way at times. We live in a fallen world, bad things happen, terrible things happen. We can always go around pretending that everything is wonderful when it really isn’t. David’s son Solomon who would later say.
So if you find yourself frightened or terrorized, you don’t have to feel guilty. Sin is not in the emotion itself but rather in our reactions and decisions later.
A sad face can be good for the heart when it helps us to think of the truly important aspects of life like our relationship with God, the love of our family, and the value of faith. That being said, we must also realize that some of these powerful emotions like terror can be destructive if they are left unchecked in our life.
What is terror? Terror is a strong feeling of fear and helplessness in the face of danger. That danger can be only perceived danger or real danger.
The Hebrew word “Magib” seems to specifically refer to the fear or terror one experiences when they are surrounded by the enemy and they see no way out. In fact this specific phrase “terror on every side” is found about 6 times in the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah uses it several times.
Terror is often seen in connection with “defeat”
Jeremiah 46:5 NIV – 5 What do I see? They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are defeated. They flee in haste without looking back, and there is terror on every side,” declares the LORD.
Terror also leads to panic:
Isaiah 31:9 NIV – 9 Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Terror can be self-destructive.
Jeremiah 20:4 NIV – 4 For this is what the LORD says: ‘I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends…
Here are a few things we need to keep in mind when it comes to feelings of terror.
- Terror is multiplied in the absence of truth!
“People are saying” most likely what they are saying is not completely true. We were told to leave Ukraine for at least a month before the war started. Russia is constantly terrorizing Ukraine and specifically Odesa with threats. But they’re not all true and they’re not all as bad as people say.
Watch the news media today and you will hear people talk for hours about hypothetical situations and potential risks. People will always talk but their talk is usually not filled with Biblical truth. In the absence of truth our terror will always grow. This is why we are afraid of the dark. We don’t know what is lurking in those shadows. This is why people are afraid to make big decisions and life changes. They don’t know how it will turn out.
There is only one solution to this, we must bring truth into the light. We must look to the facts and truths that we know for sure. The truth is that we promises from God about our future that give us hope that is greater than any terror! We must focus on the truths we find in God’s Word and certainly this will calm our fears and relieve our terror. We will look at these truths in our next point.
- Terror should never dictate our decisions or our actions
We may all experience feelings of terror but we need to learn to react to these feelings in a Biblical way. In this psalm we see David very honestly and openly sharing his feelings. He experienced terror on some level. Yet in the end we see that he did not allow those feelings to change the course of his life but rather very resolutely declared in the last verse, “Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the LORD.”
- Terror is a weapon of the devil
1 Peter 5:8 NIV – 8 …Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Have you ever heard a lion roaring at night? I haven’t but I’m sure it would be very terrifying. The point of that roar is to induce terror. It’s much easier to capture someone who is acting out of terror than it is to capture someone who is calmly and logically thinking and using the mental powers God gave him in a wise and useful way.
There are a million ways in which terror can enter our own hearts. Sometimes the devil uses other people to induce terror in us. Sometimes it can be geopolitical tensions and threats. Sometimes it can be our own sin the past that accuses us and terrorizes our hearts. Sometimes it is our own doubt and weak faith that put cracks in our spiritual armor and give terror an entrance into our heart. However it is that the devil finds a way to induce terror we are called to reset it. The first part of this verse gives us a clue as to how we can do that.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV – 8 Be alert and of sober mind…
To be alert is to be aware of the devil’s work, to know that he is will always be looking for ways to cause terror. Sober refers to the ability God has gives each of us through his Spirit to calmly, logically, and resolutely look at the situation without panic, terror. To be sober is to understand the potential threat but to also believe in a God who is bigger and stronger and make a decision to proceed forward in faith and righteousness rather than in fear and panic.
We made the decision to go back into Ukraine despite the roar of Russia because we could see the need and believed in God’s power to save us.
- God does not want you to live in a place of terror
John 14:27 NIV – 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Simply recognizing the fact that God wants us to live in his peace and in his power will do a lot to calm our fears. God’s peace comes with his presence. In times of terror we must always turn back to these vital and powerful truths.
- David made powerful statements of faith concerning himself
We have looked at terror, we have seen what it is like, let us know look at what David says before and after he describes his terror. Ironically, David sandwiches his terror with powerful statements of faith and truth. If we step back to look at this psalm in its entirety we see something interesting. The center of the psalm shows us David, pressed in on all sides by his enemies. “Terror on all sides.” There is a claustrophobic feel as we read verse 13. We can imagine David is hiding out but he knows that every exit his enemy is waiting for him. He has no place to run, he is surrounded. Yet, David knows something his enemy doesn’t know. David sees the larger context. David doesn’t just see the enemy surrounding him, he also sees God surrounding his enemy.
In difficult circumstances learn to see God’s grand context!
This is how David writes his psalm. We see David’s terrifying position right in the middle of this psalm but before that and behind that we see the power and the presence of a God! David makes some very powerful statements about his faith in God first 8 verses. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge. (verse 1)
Here we see David looking back and recognizing a truth in his life. He remembered and he proclaimed that he had already taken refuge in God. David may be recalling some moment in his youth when he made that first step of faith on his own and called out to God for salvation. He recognizes that this has already happened in his life.
The Bible often shows us how important it is to recall the steps of faith we have taken in the past. For the Christian this means you should Never forget those initial steps of faith that brought you to God, put you on your knees and resulted in true repentance and forgiveness. These moments of faith should be strongly etched on the walls of our hearts. They serve as powerful reminders of God’s great work in us and for us!
David starts this psalm by looking back, recalling, and proclaiming a significant step of faith that he made in the past.
Into your hands I commit my spirit (verse 5)
Once we remember our initial step of faith we then must actively do something to increase our faith. Here we see what David is doing in his spirit in this moment of fear. He tells us that he is committing his spirit into the hands of the LORD.
This is not simply some theoretical church talk but rather a powerful statement that proclaimed the condition of his heart and the level of his faith. What David was saying was that he was ready to die if need be. His spirit was in the Lord’s hands. Whatever happened, if lived or if he died, it was up to the Lord and David trusted the safety of his soul in the hands of his Savior!
Be ready to die!
We see the same statements by Christ on the cross and by Stephen when he was martyred.
Luke 23:46 NIV – 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Acts 7:59 NIV – 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
When we learn to commit our spirit to God it removes all possible terrors from our heart.
*How Chris asked me if I was ready to die and if my children were ready for me to die.
I will be glad and rejoice in your love (verse 7)
We also see that David makes a powerful statement about his future. He might not feel that gladness now, he might not be in a place of rejoicing now but with faith he looks forward to the return of gladness and rejoicing. These are vital statements and steps of faith that we must have in our spiritual life.
Are you grieving now? Are you afraid now? Are you in pain now? Know that these are all temporary, joy will come again. The hope of future joy and gladness can give us the strength we need to get through difficult times.
- David made powerful statements of truth about God
Our tendency during difficult times is to look only at the problems and dangers before us. As Christians we must learn to look beyond these dangers to our God! David did just that! If we look at the second half of this psalm we see some very powerful statements of truth about God which show us how David turned his faith and his heart towards God during this difficult time.
You are my God (verse 14)
It’s important to notice how quickly David turns from “terrors on every side” to “you are my God.” David is showing us that rather than listen to what everyone around him is saying he will choose to speak the truth about God!
When everyone else is speaking fear, may we speak faith. But more important than just speaking our faith, we must act in faith. David further explains what it means to have the LORD as his God.
- My times are in your hands
- His face will shine upon me (his favor)
- I will not be put to shame
You have stored up good things (verse 19)
David reminds himself of the good things God has given him and will give him. God’s grace, his mercy, his forgiveness, his joy, and his peace are the greatest gifts that have ever existed. We must never lose sight of these greatest gifts in our lives. They bring us stability and perspective. They help us see through temporary problems to God’s timeless promises!
You protect those good things (verse 20)
When I get a good thing for myself, I can lose it.
When others get me good things, I can lose them.
When God gives us good things, no one can take that away from us!
The good things God gives us can be given by no one else and can be stolen by no one else! We need to stop looking to all the ways in which the world evaluates goodness and start looking to God’s goodness and the surety that his goodness will always be with us!
God’s goodness to you does not depend upon other people, it doesn’t depend upon your mood, it doesn’t depend upon the weather, it doesn’t depend upon your bank account, it doesn’t depend upon influence, it doesn’t depend upon the government! Thankfully, it doesn’t depend upon any of these things and that is why it is completely safe!
- David made powerful statements to encourage others
Finally, towards the end of this psalm we see David turning his attention away from himself and towards God’s people. Unfortunately, we tend to become very self-focused in trials and difficulties in our lives. We tend to think that we are the only ones who have experienced such problems, we tend to think that no one understands us, we tend to not see the need of those around us.
Where there is a high level of terror, tragedy and torrment and there will always be a similarly high interest in the Gospel and thirst for God. And yet we tend to avoid these situations!
Go to the places where you see terror, tragedy and torrment and speak the truth of God there! Praise him there and you will find that your efforts are multiplied!
Praise be to the Lord (verse 21)
As we come to the end of this psalm there seems to almost be a separate short hymn of praise sung by David for the benefit of all the people. David praises God in this difficult time and he encourages us to praise God in our difficulties. This reminds me of how Paul and Silas praised God in their jail cell. It also reminds me of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand who spent 14 years in Romanian prisons during communism.
When I look back on my fourteen years in prison, it was occasionally a very happy time. Other prisoners and even the guards very often wondered at how happy Christians could be under the most terrible circumstances. We could not be prevented from singing, although we were beaten for this. I imagine that nightingales, too, would sing, even if they knew that after finishing they would be killed for it. Christians in prison danced for joy. How could they be so happy under such tragic conditions?
–Wurmbrand, Richard. Tortured for Christ (p. 81).
“I can never describe the beauty of this Church! Often, after a secret service, Christians were caught and sent to prison. There, Christians wear chains with the gladness with which a bride wears a precious jewel received from her beloved. The waters in prison are still. They receive His kiss and His embraces, and would not change places with kings. I have found truly joyful Christians only in the Bible, in the Underground Church, and in prison.
― Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ
Love the Lord (verse 23)
David calls out to all of us now. He exhorts us to love the LORD. This is the motivation and calming effect we need on our hearts in fearful times.
1 John 4:18 NIV – 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
If we have God’s love then we do not fear punishment nor do we fear men who may try to harm us. We stand in forgiveness, grace, and the goodness of God. This is the safest place we could ever be. We also are free to give God’s abundant love to all those around us, even to our enemies!
Be strong and take heart (verse 24)
Finally, David ends this psalm on a very powerful note! There is no room for doubt left in this statement. We are to be strong because our hope is in the Lord. We are to take heart because God has given us new and stronger hearts, filled with his power and his Spirit.
Questions:
- What terrors do I have in my life?
- How do I react to these terrors, am I living in fear or faith?
- What does it mean to take refuge in God?
- Why is it important to make statements of faith, what statements do I need to make now?
- How can I help others calm their fears in difficult times?
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