Daily EncouragementSample

Man is prone to fear. It is not so much a matter of “If I am afraid” but rather, “When I am afraid.” Even men after God’s own heart are not immune. David must have been very much afraid during the incident in Gath to which the heading of this Psalm refers, when he pretended to be insane (1 Sam. 21:10-15). The number of times “fear not” or similar words appear in Scripture shows just how much we do fear!

Faith is the antidote to fear - That is, faith in God and trust in his word. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” “Don’t be afraid; just believe” was our Lord’s word to Jairus; “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Were his questions to the disciples in the aftermath of the storm (Mark 5:36, 4:40).

Fear of man is one of the biggest fears. The faith which fears God will overcome this fear too. “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).