Pastor Matt Weekly Newsletter
Week of Feb. 1, 2026
“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.” -Psalm 56:11 (excerpt), NASB.
“Trust” is a powerful word. How many brands claim to be “trusted?” “America’s most trusted name in news.” “Trusted everywhere.” “A name you can trust”
You and I have heard or seen these slogans a thousand times. Yet trust is more than where we put our money.
To trust something means there is risk involved. To trust a bank risks investment losses. To trust a car brand is to risk safety and reliability. To trust a church even is to risk spiritual health and wellness.
David, under siege from the Philistines, writes Psalm 56. Three times he uses the phrase or some close variation of: “I trust in God, I shall not be afraid.” (Verses 3, 4, 11).
David is risking his health and well being in order to be obedient to God. By not killing Saul, he flees to the enemy country and pretends to be insane so his captors will pity him (1 Samuel 21:10-15).
David knows that God has anointed Saul, so it must be God’s doing to replace Saul. David must trust in God’s provision and sovereignty even when he is rejected by the Israelite establishment and wanted by the Philistines.
You and I may not be in a place of severe danger like David was. But maybe we are feeling afraid. Afraid of the direction our nation is heading. Afraid of our financial situation. Afraid of a relational issue that may lead to separation.
Fear can cripple us, and make us take our eyes off of God. Perhaps we can follow the example of David. David lists out his fears to God in Psalm 56. The Psalm begins with a plea for God’s graciousness because “man has trampled me,” (verse 1).
Though David will continue to list out the things that scare him and the dire situation he is in; he asserts three times that it is in God whom his trust rests, and that he will not be afraid.
In Hebrew literary construction, repetition is the same as you and I using formatting to gain attention. It’s similar to text being bold, italicized, and underlined with a few exclamation marks at the end!!! MAYBE IN ALL CAPS TOO!
David’s three time statement that it is God whom he trusts tells us the reader that God is trustworthy and able to banish fear.
Maybe you and I can, like David, list out the things that scare us and say, “In God I trust, I shall not be afraid.”
May it be so with us.
God’s Blessings,
Matt
Announcements and Other Thoughts:
-Build Nights resume Feb. 15, as a reminder, this is a potluck event, so bring a dish to share! (No meeting on Feb. 8)
-Are you connected to a group? Learn more about our groups by clicking here!
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