- By Rev. Chandran J. Lite
- Posted 08/21/2016
PSALM 56:3—PART 2
“WHEN I AM AFRAID, I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU”
“We have nothing to fear except fear itself” President Franklin Roosevelt uttered these words in the midst of the worst economic crisis in American history. He said this because fear has always been our greatest enemy, not the cause of the fear, nor the content of the fear, but the fact of fear itself.
Newspaper counselor Ann Landers received an average of 10,000 letters each month. When asked if there was a particular problem that seemed to predominate she said it was fear. Afraid of losing their health, wealth, loved ones, even of life itself.
David, driven by Saul; dethroned by his own son; deprived of his family and friends; doomed to death; depressed and dejected; now hopelessly and helplessly overwhelmed with fear as he was waiting for his imminent death. He does not begin the verse 3, as, ‘If I am afraid’ but ‘when I am afraid’. Because David knew by this time, that fear is part and parcel of his fleeting and transitory life .He knew sooner or later, he has to face fear in his wandering life of his fugitive life style. That is why he begins the verse with ‘when I am afraid’. What really matters to David was not the reality of fear itself but his response to fear. How is he going to handle it when comes knocking on his door. He says ‘when I am afraid, I will trust you’. Fear and faith cannot live in the same heart at the same time.
D.L.Moody’s favorite verse was Isaiah, 12:2 “ I will trust , and not be afraid” He used to say “ you can travel first class or second class to heaven. Second class is ‘what time I am afraid, I will trust’. First class is, ‘I will trust and not be afraid’. This is the better way. Why not buy a first class ticket?”
When threatening shadows of fear looms large on your horizon, where will you turn to for your shelter and salvation? David turns to God on whom he put all his trust. Is there anything in your life causing a trembling and a terrorizing fear that you are afraid to handle? Like David, take refuge in the living God who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith—CHRIST JESUS! AMEN Pastor lite