Fear and Faith

Ps. 31

In Psalm 31 David put forth words of fear and words of faith. Is it that way in any situation? Does faith in God always blot out the fear of man? We would hope it would, but it doesn't always. David demonstrated this situation perfectly. He began acknowledging his source of refuge, God. His words reflected his faith in God. In your righteousness save me...be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress...You are my rock and fortress...He cried out to God, his guide, to take him out of the enemy's net,  Into God's hand he commits his spirit because God has redeemed him. David knew Him to be a faithful God. Thus far in the psalm David has connected with God, presented the problem, and then has waited for God to act. 

But does this lessen the severity of the problem? No. The waiting for God is so hard when the enemy surrounds us. David expressed his hatred of those who worship idols and his own personal, deep distress. The physical act of crying has wasted his soul and his body. His life is spent with sorrow, and his years with sighing.  He has become a reproach and the object of dread. He feels forgotten and useless like a broken vessel. He even goes so far as to say that he hears the whispering of many who are making plans to take his life. The problem is bad, very bad! It is at this point, when negativity has nearly consumed him, that David has a choice to make. Will he indulge in self-pity or rise above the situation with God? This choice is there for all of us. Events and situations become intolerable, and often we are blind to see a way out. But always in the throes of our distress, our flesh presents itself as the problem solver, the one who has the comfort that we need. But these are lies! David did not fall for them and neither should we. 

David did choose the upward path. It all changed when he said But. What a simple word, but one with such meaning. Taking the upward path does not mean that the enemy will instantly flee or that the distress of our soul will instantly fade. What it means is that we throw ourselves in God's hand  to let Him act trusting that all He does is for our good and all the time remembering that His good is not the world's good. David finished the psalm with thoughts like these: I trust in you, O Lord...My times are in Your hands...Make Your face to shine on me...save me in Your steadfast love...How abundant is Your goodness...Blessed be the Lord for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love when I was in a besieged city...

To end the psalm David admitted that in his alarm, he was cut off from God's sight. What created this blockage? It was David's own personal fear. We also allow circumstances or events to alarm us to the point that we don't see God in our lives, but He is always there. David wanted all the saints to love the Lord because of who He is and what He does. He abundantly repays those who act in pride [the enemy]. Be strong, and let Your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.  Wait for the Lord! Wait for His timing! Be brave, God will act. Our times are in His hands!

Father,

Thank You for reassuring me this morning. Help me like David to make that right choice, to shun self-pity and rise above with You. I know that my times are in Your hand. I rejoice in that, but at the same time, know that it is hard. You are my God, my Savior, the One in whom I trust!

In Jesus name,

Amen