Don't Be Afraid; The LORD Is With You
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
. . . When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; He brought me into a spacious place.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I look in triumph over my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:1-14
. . . When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; He brought me into a spacious place.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I look in triumph over my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:1-14
As I interact with people and process the challenges of life, I have come to see fear as one of the most debilitating things we face.
We are afraid and anxious when it seems as if we would not have enough money to take care of our needs. Just the thought of a potential lack can drive the joy out of us and envelop us in fear and anxiety. We are afraid when the doctor gives us a bad report. Such reports can put us into a tailspin of fear and completely destabilize us. We are afraid when people turn on us; especially when friends become foes. We are afraid of what our enemies can potentially do to harm us.
There are some who live in fear of tomorrow: "What if I lose my job?" "What if I get sick?" "What if something happens to my children?" "What if . . . ?" The list of fears can be endless.
The words of the Psalmist give us a powerful assurance: "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The LORD is with me; He is my helper . . . I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me."
The Psalmist admits that he was hard pressed and he cried out to the LORD. He admits that he was pushed back and about to fall but the LORD helped him. The LORD, who is his strength and defense, became his salvation. He could not help but give thanks to the LORD!
Jesus Himself reminded us that we would have trials and tribulations in this world but we should be of good cheer because He has already overcome the world.
As you go through the grind of daily living, remember that life has many challenges, trials, and difficulties, but along with those challenges is the good news of the delivering and assuring presence of God. When you are pushed back and about to fall, cry out to God who is your strength and salvation. The LORD is your strength and like the Psalmist rightly says, "What can mere mortals do to you?"
Don't be afraid; the LORD is with you. He will see you through every challenge and defeat whatever foe rises up against you.
We are afraid and anxious when it seems as if we would not have enough money to take care of our needs. Just the thought of a potential lack can drive the joy out of us and envelop us in fear and anxiety. We are afraid when the doctor gives us a bad report. Such reports can put us into a tailspin of fear and completely destabilize us. We are afraid when people turn on us; especially when friends become foes. We are afraid of what our enemies can potentially do to harm us.
There are some who live in fear of tomorrow: "What if I lose my job?" "What if I get sick?" "What if something happens to my children?" "What if . . . ?" The list of fears can be endless.
The words of the Psalmist give us a powerful assurance: "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The LORD is with me; He is my helper . . . I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me."
The Psalmist admits that he was hard pressed and he cried out to the LORD. He admits that he was pushed back and about to fall but the LORD helped him. The LORD, who is his strength and defense, became his salvation. He could not help but give thanks to the LORD!
Jesus Himself reminded us that we would have trials and tribulations in this world but we should be of good cheer because He has already overcome the world.
As you go through the grind of daily living, remember that life has many challenges, trials, and difficulties, but along with those challenges is the good news of the delivering and assuring presence of God. When you are pushed back and about to fall, cry out to God who is your strength and salvation. The LORD is your strength and like the Psalmist rightly says, "What can mere mortals do to you?"
Don't be afraid; the LORD is with you. He will see you through every challenge and defeat whatever foe rises up against you.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your presence with me. You are my strength and my salvation. I will not live in fear because you are my defense. Amen.