When David, as a youth, went out to face Goliath (1 Samuel 17), while Saul and all Israel “were dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11), was David fearless? He made it clear his trust was in the God Who had delivered him from the lion and the bear and would do that same against Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:37) And so he went out “in the name of the LORD of hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45) as he trusted in God’s deliverance. That is where His focus rested as he pressed on. But was there an absence of fear in this brave warrior?
In one of David’s psalms he wrote. . .
“(1) Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; (2) my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. (3) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (4) In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:1-4 ESV)
According to the heading, this psalm was written in view of being seized by the Philistines at Gath. Did he have no fear? No, David acknowledged being afraid, but he also noted where that fear directed his focus. Also alleviating that fear was the reality humans could only do so much to him. He still found safety with God as his faith rested there.
When we experience fear, this is what we also ought to do. May our fears direct our focus toward God for the increasing of our faith. That is what fear provides the opportunity for as we are tested and tried through it by life’s varied circumstances. It is not that we will be fearless, but that we will fear less. May we be duly prompted to keep looking up to our Great Deliverer!
Have a great day GROWING IN FAITH THROUGH FEAR!
Carl
