When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalms 56:3 NIV
For the first seven years of my life, I slept at night like the proverbial baby. Then my cousins introduced me to stories of monsters and ghosts. For the first time at bedtime, I began to experience fear. Each night afterward, for years, I would think there were things under the bed and in the closet. Creepy things that were waiting to pounce on me while I slept. I soon realized, though, when I prayed, that God gave me peace to get through the night despite my fear.
In this psalm, David is on the run for his life from King Saul, fleeing to the Philistines for safety. How fearful and desperate he was, flying from one person who most definitely wanted to kill him to another who most likely desired to kill him. Once identified, he saves himself; by feigning insanity, scratching the gate doors, and drooling on himself. (1 Samuel 21:10-15) But that's not the end of the story. In his fear, David trusts God for deliverance.
Whatever fears we face today, monsters under the bed or fear for our life, we have the same option. We can choose to cling to our fear or give it up and give it to God. We gain nothing by hanging on to it, but by relinquishing it to God, we gain peace and deliverance.
God, in you only, we place our trust. There is none other besides you who can defeat fear. We confess at times that our faith falters. Forgive us; we pray and help us in our time of doubt. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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