WHEN I AM AFRAID
O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. 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 56:1-4 (NLT)
King David, the primary writer of the book of Psalms, a man after God’s own heart and a great warrior, acknowledged being afraid. When David was anointed to be king, Saul was still the current king. Saul was afraid that David would take away his job, so he told his men to hunt down David and get rid of him. David ran away and ended up in the hands of the Philistines in Gath, the people of Goliath whom David had killed. His friends wanted to kill him, and his enemies wanted to kill him. That’s likely the situation David was in when he wrote Psalm 56.
David recognizes some very real problems that would cause anyone to be concerned. People are spreading lies about me behind my back, and others are attacking me to my face. I’m not sure who is with me and who is against me.
Then David admits he is afraid. He says, When I am afraid. As he confesses his fear, he expresses his trust in God.
What I fear may be very real and rational, but who is more powerful than God? What reason do I have to fear if I’m trusting the God of the universe?
I may be afraid today, I may be weak, and what I fear might actually happen. But do I trust the God of the universe who wants to show His power in me?
APPLICATION: What is something you fear or are concerned about today? Admit it to God and trust it to Him.
PRAYER: Father, I admit my fear about and trust it to You.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?