Greater Than Week 2 Monday

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? Psalm 56:3-4

If you have not read the children's book, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," written by Michael Rosen, let me share the book's beginning with you. Here is how it starts, "We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We're not scared." The book then recounts a list of struggles that a group of people face on a bear hunt. The book is cute, but I have been thinking a lot about the line "We're not scared." As I read the book, it looks to me like many of the people on the bear hunt are, in fact, scared. The reality is that we all face scary situations that cause fear. The question is, will we be willing to face those fears.

David understood what it meant to be afraid throughout his life. He recounted one of those times in Psalm 56. In this Psalm, David talks about when his enemies, the Philistines, captured him. In this chapter, David began by begging God for mercy, telling Him about the attacks that his enemies had been placing against him. "I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me," David wrote (verse 2). David was fearful of the situation he was in. As a result, he acknowledged his fears to God. As he talked about his fear, he wrote, "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?" (verses 2-4). David acknowledged his fear, but he also believed in his God, knowing He could take care of him.

While we may be tempted to ignore our fear under the guise of bravery, sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is to acknowledge our fears. Unlike the group of people on their bear hunt, we sometimes need to acknowledge that we are indeed scared. When this happens, we can bring our fears to God. Then we can continue on, even when we are fearful, taking steps of courage because we know God is with us. Are you fearful today? It is okay to acknowledge that fear. After all, acknowledging that fear is the first step in overcoming it.

MOVING TOWARD ACTION

If we are going to face our fears adequately, we have to name them. Our challenge today is to name our fears. What fear are you facing today? Name it. Bring it before God and acknowledge that you are fearful. Thank Him that His presence is with you in every fear that you face.

GOING DEEPER

Read Psalm 56:1-13(NLT)