I like to say I am the queen of bringing in groceries. It’s quite a talent, honestly. I load them up in my arms and bring in what I’m sure is a record number of groceries from my car. I have never spilled anything while bringing in large amounts of groceries, but there have been several close calls, and I'm sure I look quite funny carrying such an armload of groceries. Why? No one person was meant to carry in so many groceries themselves. I imagine that as we carry our fears all by ourselves, we look like I do with an armload of groceries. Overwhelmed and exhausted. We were not meant to walk with our fears alone. Instead of trying to carry them all by ourselves, there is a better way of living: bringing our cares and concerns to God.
King David understood the importance of bringing his worries to God. He wrote about his experience of turning to God when he was fearful in Psalm 34. He wrote, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears" (verse 4). Notice the progression that can be found in this verse. First, David sought God. This was an intentional decision to turn to God with his fears instead of anywhere else. Then, God answered him. He understood the truth that when we turn to God, He always hears us and answers. He may not always respond how we hope He will, but He will always respond in the best way. After all, He is all-knowing, and we are not. Just because He does not answer how we hope does not mean He does not answer. It just means that He has answered differently, in a better way. Finally, when he turned to God, God freed Him “from all [his] fears.” When David brought His fears to God, He found freedom from fear. Indeed, whenever we turn to God, He takes our fears and gives us His peace instead.
Are you fearful today? Turn to God. Tell Him about what you are fearful of. He will answer. He will also offer you peace and freedom from your fears. Bring Him your fears today.
Bring your fears before God today. Name them one by one. He wants to hear about them, whether large or small. Ask Him for His peace and help in the situations that are causing you fear. Thank Him that He is with you every step of the way, so you do not have to face your fears alone.
A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
