“Momma, will you do something for me?” She whispered making sure no one else could hear her request. “I forgot something in the basement and I am too scared to go by myself. Will you go with me?” I smiled and told her, “of course.” As I took her little hand, I could visibly see all of her fears melt away. She smiled, and without a sense of hesitation or fear, we set off to retrieve her favorite stuffed animal.
That moment stuck with me for the next few days. The confidence my daughter walked in once she knew I was with her was drastically different than her fearful and embarrassed state before. All fear was gone the moment I took her by the hand.
What a reflection of Christ and us. We have all been there. We have a need and suddenly fear begins to set in. Next, we have a decision to make. Do we ask for help or let our fears control our thoughts and actions? Once we humble ourselves and ask for help, the one who can destroy every fear helps us gain victory! Instead of running away from the source of fear, we meet it head-on, and as a result fear is defeated and Christ is exalted.
“Fear is born of Satan, and if we would only take time to think a moment, we would see that everything Satan says is founded upon a falsehood.” A.B. Simpson
Psalm 18 is a beautiful Psalm written by David when he was delivered from the hands of Saul. If you haven’t read it, you are missing out! His words give us a beautiful picture of what depending on Christ in a time of fear looks like! Here is what we can learn!
1. Remembering who God is helps us put fear in its’ rightful place.
David begins Psalm 18 by recounting who God is. He uses the following names to describe the one in whom he puts his trust: my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, and worthy of praise! Imagine how our fears could be transformed if we began to recount who God is!
2. God rescues us because He delights in us!
Psalm 18:19 says, “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” Wow! I love that verse. Fear can be such an isolating emotion. If we are not careful, we can hide instead of seeking help and praying that God will help us! Perhaps we think that we should be stronger and not need His help. The exact opposite is true! When my little girl asked for help to face her fears, it was out of my love for her that I was eager to help! The same is true with God! He helps not because it is His job but because He DELIGHTS in us!
3. Gods’ help is perfectly matched to our specific need.
I love how David recalls what the Lord did when He says, “He makes my feet like the feet of the deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn.” There is not one area of need that God does not provide help in! I love the imagery of God providing everything David needs to fight the enemy! The amazing thing is He does the same thing for us!
4. When God helps us others will see HIS abilities.
David is a very visible person of his time. As a result, others are pointed to God when David recalls where his help comes from. Psalm 18:43 says, “You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; You have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me.” Verse 49 states, “Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name.”
What fears are you facing today?
Here are some questions to reflect on: Have you remembered who is bigger than your source of fear? Do you believe that the Lord delights in helping you through it? Have you ever considered that God has a specific plan to meet Your need? Do you desire others to see God glorified through your fears being conquered?
“If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer – His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable.”
John Newton
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