SCRIPTURE: You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:5-8 NIV
THOUGHT: Our pastor here in Tennessee often says he is not afraid and I believe him as I observe his faith and character. Every time he says it, I think I wish I were like that. But I struggle, spending a lot of energy trying to look around corners to see if I can stop whatever bad is hidden there…terror in the night, arrows that pierce the heart or those meant to take life, the virus or cancer or heart disease or social malaise that are no respecters of time or season. I’m not proud of it, but I could tell you stories about things I’ve feared (and I’m not a total wimp!) that might make you laugh. I know all the Scriptures, I know the Bible says “do not be afraid” 365 times, I know my own reasons why I’m afraid, and I know the wonderful, reassuring presence of God – but still I struggle.
It’s helpful to look back at all the things I’ve feared on one hand, and all of God’s faithfulness on the other. God has delivered me from my fears in many miraculous ways over time.
David the Psalmist, so strong and brave and full of faith says while others fall on our left and right, God will offer protection to those who fear him. That’s the simplest choice you and I can make: fear God or fear everything else. I will choose God, but oh, may he help me!
SONG: Psalm 91 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc8thQQl6Bs
PRAYER: Oh God, I long to live into faith fully, to lay down worry and anxiety and just see what it feels like to never be afraid. That sounds like true freedom. God help me have more a heart like David, and help the David’s out there have a heart for those of us who haven’t yet scaled this mountain to the heights.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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