14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. 19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. 21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.

This section of Psalm expresses the absolute trust in God that David exemplified in every part of his life. It also tells us how we must trust God and why. God is full of love and kindness, of compassion and mercy and goodness. God wants to do what is best for us and he wants us to be blessed. God has always wanted this for his people. What David realized (and we must too) is that God showers his blessings on those who fear him. David understood the principle that God laid down so often to Israel. Those who follow his will and obey him will be blessed. Those who reject him and do not obey him will be punished. David understood this and lived by it. He graciously accepted God’s blessings and when he sinned, he accepted God’s punishment.

This is not to say that David (or any of us) was so good that he deserved to be blessed by God. But he set his heart on doing God’s will in all things. Then when he did receive special blessing, he praised God and gave him the glory while admitting his own unworthiness. This is submissive humility.

Another part of this is difficult for us because not every time we are subjected to something we call bad, is it punishment. Not every time we perceive something to be good is it a blessing from God. But when we align our will to God’s will, we can know that he will be with us, provide our needs and protect us from harm. We can rest in the assurance that he will always (and only) use whatever comes to us for our good.

O Lord God, I give you praise and honor because you are indeed my God. I know I can rest in you and find peace in your love for me. Help me to never be self-righteous but to humbly accept your will in my life. Use me to live for you and to bring glory to you and to your name. I pray in Jesus’ name.

May God bless each of us as we live for him and honor him.