Forty Days in the PsalmsSample

Does our faith in Jesus mean we will never feel fear? Not at all. Many followers of Christ throughout Scripture felt afraid. For instance, the apostle Paul admitted that he and his companions were so overwhelmed in Asia that they despaired of life itself. He didn't hide this or clean it up for his listeners; he simply stated the truth.

Even Jesus experienced overwhelming emotions. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was sorrowful and troubled, sweating drops of blood as He prayed for the Cup to pass from Him. While the Bible doesn't explicitly call this fear, it shows that Jesus wasn't afraid to express His deep anguish.

The Christian life involves intense emotions, and we have many reasons to feel fear in today's world. Psalm 27 offers comfort and guidance. It hints at Jesus' Life, describing following God's Path, facing false witnesses, and enduring encampments of enemies—paralleling Jesus' final days. Despite these trials, Jesus believed He would see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He waited for the Lord, even through death, and God raised Him from the grave.

Psalm 27:1 declares, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" This is a powerful prayer declaration. We should remind ourselves that God lights up our dark situations and saves us. If we were never meant to face fearful situations, why would we need to call upon the Lord for Salvation?

In prayer, we shouldn't compare ourselves to our fears, as this leads to defeat. Instead, we should compare our fears to the Lord. For example, when facing a chronic illness, financial troubles, or the challenges of raising a family, we should remember that the Lord is the Stronghold of our lives. By constantly comparing our fears to God in prayer, we find that He outshines them all.

This doesn't mean our fears will instantly disappear. Jesus' Life shows that situations can go from bad to worse. Yet, Psalm 27:13-14 encourages us to believe we will see the Goodness of the Lord and to wait for Him with courage. We should not abandon our faith but wait for the Lord, trusting that He will help us overcome our fears.

RESPOND IN PRAYER:

Whatever fears are pulling on your heart today take time to express them honestly to the Lord in prayer. He already knows and stands ready to hear you.