When my children were very young, they were enrolled in a Christian school.  There they learned a memory verse for every letter of the alphabet.  When they each learned the letter “W” they all learned Psalms 56:3.  It was always quite amazing to me that this simple verse had the power to minister not only to the children, but to the adults as well. 

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  

Psalms 56:3

King David wrote this Psalm, long before he was king, in the middle of facing one of life’s fearful moments and it was a truth he held onto, as life seems to continue to have those moments from time to time.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.

Psalms 57:1

What did David understand about the character and nature of God that caused him to place his trust in God?

David was recognized and appointed by God long before others could see his potential. But that did not seem to change the fact that David faced real life, with all its dilemmas and drama.  Yet, David found something in the midst of it all, that caused him to remain centered, and at peace in the midst of the storm.   David discovered that God loved him.  Not only did God love him, but God is love! 

…God IS love

I John 4:8b-

The word “IS” in Webster’s dictionary means:  to be equal to; it also means; homogeneous: of same and similar kind of nature; of uniform structure and composition throughout.

So when we say God is love, we are not talking of an emotion.  Emotion can be an expression of love, but what the Word of God is saying, is that God is the same and has the similar kind of nature as love.  It is the composition that makes Him who He is, and it is in uniformity throughout His character as love is. They are one in the same.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

1 John 4:18

David discovered that God is love and in the perfect love of God there is no fear; and where there is no fear, you can trust completely.  David trusted that the love of God could keep him when strength could not; when wisdom could not; and when favor could not.  David knew to how to hide in the love of God, because he understood that God’s love is a keeping power that you can place your trust in. 

Be like David as you forge ahead; possess a Full Assurance In The Heart, because the one who loved you best is able to keep you and protect you even in the storm.