When I am afraid, I will not fear

David of Bethlehem survived many near misses in life. It seems like people were always conspiring to harm him, but God consistently delivered him.

King David in Prayer - Pieter de Grebber

In Psalm 56, David begins with fear (everyone’s reality) and moves into trust (not always our response):  “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.  I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me Psalm 56:3-4, NLT)?

David knew from repeated deliverances that harm hatched over many months by people could be dispatched by the Lord in just a minute. This morning I read the story of Absalom’s rebellion. His act of treason took many months to mature. And in just 48 hours, God orchestrated the complete vindication of David.

When we face trying times, especially when we find our dearest values threatened by those around us, we need to move from fear to trust. “What can mere mortals do to me,” David asked rhethorically. And the answer is “quite a bit.” But the bigger picture is that what people labor to construct against us God can remove with a mere breath.

We put too much trust in the power of those who harass us. Let us strive to placing greater trust in the maker of heaven and earth. For “this I know: God is on my side (Psalm 56:9!”

 

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