Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. – Psalm 55:22

In his lifetime, King David faced some very difficult circumstances. And yet, through it all, he knew that as long as he placed his trust in God, everything would eventually work out. The psalms are full of David’s writings about experiencing fear but still trusting in God.

David wrote Psalm 55 while facing a rebellion or power struggle over his leadership of Israel. To make matters worse, one of the key leaders in the struggle was someone whom David had previously trusted. As a result of this, the city was actually a dangerous place for David to be in. But rather than give up or let his fears get the better of him, David chose to reach out to God.

While a friend’s betrayal and an extreme challenge to authority were indeed heavy burdens to bear, David knew that he could and should rely on God to endure it. He recognized that he needed to cast the heavy weight of his struggle onto God rather than be crushed trying to carry it on his own. This choice did not remove David from the difficult situation, but helped to sustain him through it. In the end, David became a stronger servant of God.

When you experience frightening things in this world, do you give them to God and believe that He will handle whatever is weighing you down? Talk to Him about it today. Let go of your burden and trust that God will be there to help you endure whatever comes. As you pray, intercede for the governing officials of the United States as they, too, face struggles in their lives and work.