6 Minute Read
Be Still
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Today’s Bible Reading:
Isaiah 10:1–11:16
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Psalm 56:1-13
Proverbs 23:6-8
Listen to the Lord
Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT): “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
Reflections from Scripture:
I love reading through the book of Psalms. While the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letters are intellectually stimulating and written to the mind, David’s psalms (and the other psalms) are emotionally stirring and directed to our hearts.
Psalm 56 is no different. In it, we read of David, who was lamenting that he had enemies against him. It appears that these enemies were the Philistines who had taken him captive. They intended great harm for him.
Yet, while he had more than enough reason to be afraid, he refused to succumb to that emotion. Why?
Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT): “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
Do you see how he was able to combat legitimate reasons for fear? He put his trust in the Lord.
What did that look like? What does it mean to put our trust in the Lord? Here are a few ideas:
- He rested in the fact that nothing could happen unless God allowed it.
- He rested in the fact that even bad things were intended by a gracious God for his good.
- He rested in the fact that people are infinitely weaker than God and can only do what He allows.
On and on we could go, but you get the idea.
Will you trust in the Lord today? If you do, you will have less cause for fear. Rest in your Father’s care. Your faith will be well placed.
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, it seems that the world has gone crazy. It seems that fear is at pandemic levels. It often expresses itself in anxiety and depression or in anger. So, help me, Lord, to trust in You so that I can experience faith over fear. And in so doing, help me to provide a great example to those who are watching. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Matt’s Musings 