Day 255

Isaiah 10:1-11:16; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 23:6-8

Fear Does Not Control

The setting of Psalm 56 is that David, a servant of Saul, is running away to Gath to get away from Saul, who is trying to kill him. Gath was one of the Philistine towns where Goliath had lived. It seems crazy for David to go there since the Philistines were enemies of the Israelites and apparently, when David got there, he thought it was pretty strange, too. So he tried to act foolish while he was there because he was safe as long as he did, but the fear that David felt was plain in the psalm as he poured out his heart to God about that fear.

David pleads with God for mercy in dealing with his enemies. He knows, however, that God is gracious (grace-filled) and will help him against the threat of the Philistines. He knows ultimately that when he trusts in God, he doesn’t have to fear what will happen.

How many of us could say the same thing; that we don’t have to fear anything that happens in our lives? We can be like David as he ran from one difficult situation straight into another but when we stop and look up, we can realize that God is with us when we call upon Him. Through any and all difficulties, whether a huge debt or a hairy disease or a hard decision, we can praise God and lift His name high because He hears us and loves us. We can trust that God will help us through our tears to light and love and laughter.

Verse 11 is a great reminder; memorize it and carry it in your heart:

“In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (NIV)

Phyllis Bartle