Day 56: We must turn down every invitation to fear, but accept the invitation to trust the Lord

“For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life. But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:13-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It’s very amusing to watch different creatures in the animal kingdom using fear alone to repel potential harm. There are animals that “blow up” to look bigger; some sport menacing colors; others may employ an ear-bursting screech; but whatever fear-provoking tool is used, it is meant to stop an attack before it starts. All by way of fear.

Fear is powerful. Indeed, fear is a controller.

Think about it: if you were ever really scared by something, did you forget about it right away? Do you still remember it? Maybe the fear has continued to control your behavior, even years later!

Sadly, fear is used all the time to motivate people to do all kinds of things. Fear can make people relinquish their freedoms, buy a particular self-defense product, submit to unneeded and potentially harmful, medical procedures, and so on, and so on.

To clarify, the type of fear being discussed here is the state of heightened anxiety and dread, caused by some threat. Additionally, we must make a distinction between having the kind of fear that keeps you safe versus BEING fearful (literally, full of fear). Suffice it to say, people who have allowed fear to control their lives, directing their steps, and occupying their thoughts, are not happy campers; nor are they likely to fulfill their purposes in God.

Throughout the Scriptures we have our Lord telling us not to fear. If you want to see for yourself, just do a study on how many times “Fear not,” or some form of that command, is said by the Lord throughout His word. The book of Isaiah alone is replete with the Lord instructing His people not to fear, rather choosing to trust Him. Here is one of my favorites:

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;...”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:1-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Lord would not repeatedly instruct His people not to fear if it were not possible to control your fear. Like so many emotions, we tend to think that fear is beyond our control. Whereas, in our own strength, that may seem to be true, when you pair the command to not fear, with the assurances given by the Almighty, you should have the formula for victory over fear.

Jesus instructed His disciples not to fear. At one time, the disciples thought they were in a storm that would be their ruin. As they panicked, waking the Master, they were met with this reaction:

“But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In our portion from Psalms today we see that David was confident that—as long as the Lord was on His side—he need not fear. He acknowledges that opportunities for fear are all around; but he chose rather, to trust the Lord. And, this wasn’t a one time observation by the Psalmist. Here is another one I particularly like:

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:4-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

No matter what you’re going through today, no matter what invitation to fear has been sent your way, please understand that the fear-provoking storm raging in your life needs only the Master to speak to it. Choose to trust Him and turn down the invitation to fear.

For today, let us know and understand what David knew:

We must turn down every invitation to fear, choosing rather to accept the invitation to trust the Lord.

#100dayswithdavid