4 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Psalm 55-57
Romans 11

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Psalm 56:3-4 (CSB): “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Reflecting on God’s Word

One of my all-time favorite American heroes is Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863). I’ve read many books about him and I have enjoyed the movie, “Gods and Generals” (2003), that tells his story from the beginning of the Civil War. I suspect I’ve watched it 20+ times, even though the acting is sometimes as bad as the fake beards.

In 2016, while on our way to Washington, D.C., where Kim had been selected for a week-long fellowship at the National Gallery of Art, we stopped in Lexington, Virginia. I wanted to visit Stonewall’s house, the Presbyterian church he attended, and his gravesite. I wrote about our brief visit here. My article also included why I was able to celebrate Stonewall’s life and achievements while also despising the institution of slavery (Stonewall would have never fought for slavery; he was fighting for states’ rights and his state of Virginia).

So, why do I bring up “Stonewall” Jackson? It’s because the verses I chose for today immediately brought him to the forefront of my mind.

Stonewall had a very difficult upbringing filled with tragedy. Tragedy continued into his early married life. To what extent that cultivated within him a fearlessness that sometimes seemed to border on recklessness is left for the historians to debate. The story of how he stood fearlessly next to an abandoned cannon in the middle of a road during the Mexican-American War as enemy bullets were kicking up dust all around him is legendary. He seemed invigorated and fearless in battle.

Later on, he came to faith in Jesus. Presbyterianism, and particularly its teachings on predestination, made sense to Stonewall. He found a safe place for his courage to rest. He realized that God was fully sovereign and that nothing could happen to him unless God willed it to be so. He believed himself immortal until God called him home.

Stonewall Jackson: “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.”

Stonewall’s theology played out in real ways. His view of God gave him a substantive reason to live courageously.

This is essentially what the Psalmist said in the verses I have chosen for today.

Psalm 56:3-4 (CSB): “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Friend, what we believe has everything to do with how we will live. And we cannot say that we truly believe something unless it affects how we live.

What would it be like if we lived with the confidence of the Psalmist who realized that trusting in God caused fear of men to lose its grip on our minds and hearts? How courageous might we appear when really, we’re merely resting in God’s presence and care?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you cultivate a conscious awareness of His presence in your life.
  • Ask God to help you be unafraid of bad events or bad people because you are resting in Him.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into trusting the Lord, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“How can I learn to trust in God?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)