No Fear!

No Fear!

Psalms 56:3 NKJV

[3] Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

What do you do when things go wrong? What do you do when things still do not work out the way you planned it, after you have made the right decisions, even in the face of the pressure to compromise? What happens when there is persecution because you are doing what pleases the heart of God? These were the questions agitating the mind of the man David. This was a young man who did not ask to be king, but was anointed as king whilst there was still a sitting king in place. This sitting king made it his daily duty to find ways to kill David, who was a threat to his kingship, as well as his dynasty. David found himself in Nob, where he met with Ahimelech the priest, and was given food and a sword. Of course, even the priest was afraid when he saw David, because this was a man that the army, inspired by the king, was looking to kill. Being anointed will not keep you from being annoyed. 

That simple encounter David had with the priest at Nob led to the death of the priest Ahimelech and more than 80 other men who wore the linen uphold as priests. Doeg the Edomite was there when David visited the priest and he was the one who reported to Saul. Saul summoned the entire family of priests, and it was Doeg who did not hesitate but killed all the priests. Reflect on this: a man anointed by God to be king did not value what he had, but was willing to kill other anointed men like himself, just to preserve a position that was not his in the first place. David had the same opportunity to harm Saul as he lay sleeping in a tent, but he could not dare lift his hand against the anointed of the Lord. Be careful of what zeal makes you do. It is not a wonder that David was afraid, and he ran for his life, and ended up in Gaza, the land of the Philistines. 

Fear will happen sometimes, when things get out of hand, but like David, what I do with that fear is critical. Daivd did not deny the fact that he was afraid; life will happen to the best of us but how do we move in faith, in the face of that fear? What David did was to acknowledge the fear, but to keep his trust in God. May sound difficult, but trust comes from practice and sustained assurance. As I trust God for the seemingly small things, it becomes easier to trust Him for the big things. I note that David did not say IF, but WHEN I am afraid. Like a small child will hold on the hands of a parent, that is how God wants us to trust His leading and guidance. No sane parent leads a child into danger, but you guide the child through life's experiences so the child can develop confidence. That is how God wants to lead me. He is invested in my success, as He is glorified when my life points out His power and splendour in and through me. Would you trust God the same way? God's time of favour is here.