The Fear Affect
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7
An article in a French daily newspaper said, “Fear ruled a man’s life for thirty-two years. Afraid of being caught for his crimes, he hid away in his farmhouse, going nowhere and visiting no one, even missing his mother’s funeral. When he was sixty-four, he learned that no charges had ever been filed against him. The man was free to resume a normal life.” Yes, the threat of punishment was real, but he allowed the fear of it to control him.
Likewise, fear ruled the Israelites when the Philistines challenged them at the Valley of Elah. The threat was real. Their enemy Goliath was 3 meters tall (9 feet 9) and his body armour alone 57 kilograms (1 Samuel 17:4–5). For forty days, every morning and evening, Goliath challenged the Israelite army to fight him. But no one dared come forward. No one until David visited the battlefield. He heard and saw the taunting, and volunteered to fight Goliath.
While everyone in the Israelite army thought Goliath was too big to fight, David the shepherd boy knew he was not too big for God. He said, “the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (v 47).
When we are gripped by fear, let us follow David’s example and fix our eyes on God to gain a right perspective of the problem. The threat may be real, but the One who is with us and for us is bigger than that which is against us.
Bible Reading
1 Samuel 17:4–7, 45–50.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord God, that You are bigger than any other giant in my life. I trust You, and remember Your words, “Fear not, for I Am with you.” In Jesus name I thank, bless and praise You. Amen.
Amen