Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 27-31
Those who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. – Psalm 125:1-2
There’s something interesting about fear. While you’d think it would diminish with age and maturity, it seems to grow bigger. Maybe it’s because we’re more aware of all the things that could happen.
Take the young guy careening around the streets in his automobile. He doesn’t have a fear in the world. Before I get in the car, I make sure I’ve got the insurance paid up, I fasten my seat belt, and I take a lot of time and trouble to make sure everything is okay.
Today’s Scripture passage begins with David under the control of unwarranted fear. I can hear you saying, Unwarranted? Wasn’t King Saul out to slay him? Yes. Wasn’t Saul’s army much greater in number than the men around David? Yes. Did not Saul’s jealousy and anger burn night and day against David? Yes.
Here’s why I say his fear was unwarranted: Didn’t God choose David to be king, and didn’t Samuel, under the direction of God, anoint him to be king? Of course he did. And that fact gives clear assurance that David would be preserved until the time came for him to ascend the throne. He had no reason to trust Saul, but he certainly could trust the Lord. His fear stemmed from his weakened faith.
David didn’t consult the Lord, he consulted his own heart, which in this instance led him astray. Young David faced Goliath with a slingshot, while Saul and the rest of the army cringed in fear. Now David had fallen victim to the same kind of dread.
Past faith is no answer to present fear. If we are to finish the race and end well, we can’t trust our feelings, we must trust the word of the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, renew my faith in Your presence in my life today. Amen.
To Ponder
When fear overtakes us, we can rest in the assurance that God has promised to be with us always–and He never breaks a promise.
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