Today’s Bible reading is Exodus 23-24, Psalm 27, and Matthew 27. Our daily devotional is from Psalm 27.
Some things warrant a good healthy dose of fear. For instance, it is good to fear and revere authority empowered to guard us against and even punish foolish, unlawful choices. We should also fear the deadly potential of a lightning strike, the fast approach of a train at a railroad crossing, and the penalty for failing to study for an exam.
Some fears are enslaving and harmful to the soul. The fear of failure can paralyze and hinder prudent decisions. Fear rejection and you will retreat from friendship and relationships. Fear criticism and you might be tempted to quit! In the words of king Solomon, “The fear of man bringeth a snare…”(Proverbs 29:25).
Can we overcome negative, enslaving fears? Absolutely! Let’s take some spiritual lessons from king David’s life experiences (Psalm 27:1-3).
Psalm 27:1– “The LORD is my light and my salvation [Deliverer]; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength [fortress; refuge] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid [fear; tremble]?”
Notice three assertions concerning David’s courage and faith in contrast with fear in verse 1. The first, “The Lord is my Light”: David’s confidence was not in human thought or philosophy; his courage arose from his conviction that the LORD Who is Jehovah, Eternal God, was the source of light to his soul (John 1:4-5, 9; 1 John 1:5).
David’s second assertion is, “The LORD…is my Salvation”; not only his guiding light, but also the One Who is able to save his soul from the curse of sin. Having declared the LORD is his light and salvation, David asks, “Whom shall I fear?”
Is anyone too big for God? Is anyone stronger than the LORD? Is any circumstance greater than the LORD?
David’s third assertion is, “The LORD is the Strength of my life”; his Rock, Fortress and Refuge! Why be afraid of mortal man if the Lord is your Protector?
Having stated the LORD is the object of his faith; David pondered God’s providences and protection in the past (27:2).
Psalm 27:2 – “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes [hostile], came upon me to eat up [devour; consume] my flesh [body], they stumbled and fell.”
Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past, David confidently declared he would not be overcome with fear!
Psalm 27:3 – “Though an host [great company] should encamp [lay siege] against me, my heart [mind] shall not fear [tremble]: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident [trust; secure].”
Take heart believer! The LORD is your Light, Salvation, and Refuge; cast aside your fears and affirm with David:
I will not allow fear to overcome me or the threat of the unknown rob me of my joy; have faith and confidence in God!
In the apostle Paul’s words, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”(Romans 8:31)
Copyright 2019 – Travis D. Smith