Fear has a way of paralyzing or inhibiting us. Of course, some fears are based on real events and seem reasonable, like earthquakes, tornadoes, or perhaps a terrorist attack.
One fear that tends to inhibit us is related to people. This can take many forms. Some people are afraid to be in a large crowd or to speak in front of a crowd. We all have a fear of rejection in certain situations.
There is also a fear that causes dread and anxiety, while another fear is born out of respect.
Scripture
By David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who is there to fear? The Lord is my life’s fortress. Who is there to be afraid of?
Evildoers closed in on me to tear me to pieces. My opponents and enemies stumbled and fell. Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I will still have confidence ⌊in the Lord⌋. [vss 1-3]
I have asked one thing from the Lord. This I will seek: to remain in the Lord’s house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the Lord’s beauty and to search for an answer in his temple.
He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He sets me high on a rock. Now my head will be raised above my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy in his tent. I will sing and make music to praise the Lord. [vss 4-6]
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud. Have pity on me, and answer me. ⌊When you said,⌋ “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “O Lord, I will seek your face.”
Do not hide your face from me. Do not angrily turn me away. You have been my help. Do not leave me! Do not abandon me, O God, my savior! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take care of me. [vss 7-10]
Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path because I have enemies who spy on me. Do not surrender me to the will of my opponents. False witnesses have risen against me. They breathe out violence.
I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in this world of the living. Wait with hope for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the Lord. [vss 11-14]
(Psalm 27:1-14 GW) [Context– Psalm 27]
Key phrase—Wait with hope for the Lord
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What is the confidence David expresses in respect to his circumstances?
What or who is this confidence based on? Why do you think David has this confidence?
What is the one thing David asked of the Lord? Why does he seek this?
What are David's appeals in the latter half of this psalm? What are his confident hopes and encouragements at the end?
Reflection...
King David had several enemies who tried to kill him. Most of them were afraid of him. Throughout his psalms we see a confidence in his personal relationship with the Lord.
This is the bedrock of his faith, not the Law or religious practices, but his very personal relationship with God. God honored this in David's life.
Some times, the people we fear or are intimidated by are people who are intimidated by us for some reason. Many fears, especially that of people, are groundless and based on faulty assumptions, even ignorance.
What was the secret to David's confidence in the Lord? He knew God was greater than any enemy, far greater. David feared the Lord more than anyone or anything. Not a fear of dread that causes anxiety, but a fear of respect, awe, and wonder. This is why he trusted in and worshipped the Lord.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Who or what types of people intimidate you? Why is this? Are you willing to learn more about them to help relieve you of this fear?
Are there certain events or things you fear but have never experienced? If so, have you brought this to God in prayer and trusted Him with it?
Have you developed a level of trust in God that frees you from fear of people and things?
How have you learned to respect God for who He is—to fear Him in a biblical sense—so that your view of life and people is in right perspective?
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