“My Heart Is Steadfast, O God”

by Mitchell Tan
January 22, 2016

THE CHALLENGE TO FIND A STEADFAST HEART

In life, the problems and challenges we face sometimes do not go away easily. Family and friendship difficulties are such examples. They can bring much turmoil and heartache to us over a protracted period of time. David was faced with such a grave dilemma when he was vigorously fleeing from his father-in-law, King Saul, who wanted him dead. This historical backdrop served as the context for which David wrote Psalm 57. He knew in his heart that he needed to find a steadfastness to go through this extended predicament. How did he seek to have such a heart?

1. HAVING A SUSTAINED TRUST IN THE LORD

“For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge”
Psalm 57:1

David did not just start trusting in God. It was a sustained effort to closely relate to the Lord. He was able to maintain his trust in God as his refuge. As a mother eagle covers her eaglets with her feathers, even so the Almighty Lord covered him continuously with His wings. He would find stillness in the presence of the Lord as only He would give until his predicaments were over.

2. CRYING OUT TO GOD FOR HIS MERCIES

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!”
Psalm 57:1

“I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.
…
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.”
Psalm 57:2, 3

On the one hand, David pleaded with the Lord to be merciful. He humbly cried out to God for His intervention. On the other hand, there was also this confidence that God would perform all things for him. He believed with all his heart that God would show mercy and bring about deliverance.

3. DETERMINING WITHIN HIS HEART TO BE STEADFAST

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast”
Psalm 57:7

David also sought to determine within his heart to be steadfast. He mentioned the phrase “My heart is steadfast” twice. Not only was David emphasising this idea, he also determined within his heart to continue to be strong and steady in the Lord.

THE EXPRESSION OF A STEADFAST HEART – PRAISING GOD

As David found this steadfastness in the Lord, it was expressed in a definite way. He sang to God.

1. CHOOSING TO EXALT GOD IN THE MIDST OF LIFE CHALLENGES

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.”
Psalm 57:5

2. DETERMINING TO START THE DAY WITH SINGING TO GOD

“I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.”
Psalm 57:7-8

3. PRAISING GOD WITH A DEEP APPRECIATION OF HIS MERCY AND TRUTH

“I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.”
Psalm 57:9-10

Let seek to have a steadfastness that would express itself in continuous singing and praising of God.

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