Dear Zikora,
Psalm 31 is a powerful prayer; however, I want you to pay attention to the Psalmist’s attitude as he interacts and prays to God. Reading through this chapter, we can infer that the psalmist is in dire need of help and is hurting, however, he is not cowering or “begging” hopelessly. Reflecting on this chapter, one can begin to see a trust so deep that it produces an unshakable confidence and throws out any fear or whimpering. We also begin to notice a vulnerability without shame, a surrender not from fear, and praise that comes only from complete certainty. The psalmist is in no way defeated by his situation because he knows that God is his secret weapon that never fails, as seen in this verse: “For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge” … Psalm 31 vs 3-4.
Dear Zikora, please remember Psalm 31.
So, let’s dive in, here is the step-by-step guide on how to be undefeated in any situation:
Step 1: Be Certain and Unapologetic in your stance with God:
The psalmist is not timid or cowering even though he seems to be in distress and needs help quickly. Notice how the psalmist starts this prayer/psalm:
“In you, O lord, do I take refuge: let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!… …Psalm 31 vs 1-2.
I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the lord…vs. 5
Step 2: Trust and Surrender Completely to God:
The beautiful thing about being a child of God is the confidence we carry, so that even when we are in despair, surrendering to God is not an act of fear, but of trust and wisdom. We surrender because we trust God, and we trust God because God is faithful. Here is how the psalmist put it:
“Into your hand I commit my spirit.
you have redeemed me,
O Lord, faithful God” …vs. 5.
And also:
“But I trust in you, O Lord, I say, “You are my God”. My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors” …vs. 14-15.
Step 3: Praise God and Remind God of Who he is in your Life:
God loves us praising him, and many conquests recorded in the Bible were won just by praising God alone. Praising God is like reminding God of who he is. And the beautiful thing about this is that it also reminds you of who God is in your life. This in turn strengthens your faith and confidence. Here is how the psalmist demonstrated it in his prayer:
“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge” … vs 3-4.
That said, praise God and bless the name of the Lord regardless of what situation you are in, good or bad. Here is an example from the psalmist:
“Blessed be the lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight”. But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help” …vs. 21-22.
Step 4: Present your Request with Sincerity. Tell God what hurts:
Don’t be shy, tell God everything. Narrate the situation to him. Yes, God already knows, but tell him anyways. Notice how the psalmist presents his requests: vulnerability wrapped in eloquence! The psalmist acknowledges his errors and does not claim complete ignorance or innocence as to why he is experiencing his predicament. In fact, he takes a penitent stance and even starts by asking for forgiveness. He says:
“Be gracious to me, O lord, for I am in distress, my eye is wasted from grief, and my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.
Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many- terror on every side! – as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life”.…vs. 9- 13.
Notice how the psalmist punctuates his requests with praise and by reaffirming God’s sovereignty? This goes to show you that step 3 and 4 go hand in hand. The psalmist then picks up his requests again from vs 16 (after praising God from vs 14-15). This time, the psalmist is even bolder and does not mince words. Here is the rest of his request:
“Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!
O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame: let them go silently to Sheol. Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt” …vs 16-18.
Step 5: Verbalize Gratitude and Practice Joy that comes from having Faith in God’s kindness:
Joy is voluntarily choosing happiness regardless of circumstances. Rejoicing is joy in action, and this particular joy is fuelled by faith in God. It is that peace that comes from knowing that God will keep his promises. Here is how the psalmist acknowledged step 5:
“I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; and you have set my feet on a broad place” …vs. 7-8.
And also here:
“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence, you hide them from the plots of men.
You store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues” …19-20.
Step 6: Be patient, and don’t be discouraged:
This is self-explanatory. It is easy to get discouraged by how dire the situation is, however, stay strong, remember that God is with you. Be certain of that, and you will be undefeated, no matter what. This is why the psalmist ended Psalm 31 this way:
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the lord” …vs. 24.
Step 7: Encourage Others:
Share your testimony and encourage others. Doing this regularly will in turn be a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness in your life. Making it even easier to continue to trust God and to bask in the confidence and assurance you have in God.
“Love the lord all you, his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride” … vs. 23.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Psalm 31 is my prayer today. I thank you for making me read this beautiful psalm and understand it. Please help my understanding and improve my insights so that I don’t miss anything you want me to learn from this psalm. Thank you for being my redeemer, my rock, my fortress and my refuge. Thank you for loving me and for protecting me and for answering my prayers. Blessed be your holy name might Jehova, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.