A friend of mine grew up in a rural part of Hawaii where her family had no electricity. As a child, the dark hours of the night frightened her. Without streetlights or the occasional lamp-lit window, it was easy to imagine a scary ogre or hungry beast lurking around the corner. Eventually, my friend left Hawaii to attend college in another region of the US. Although modern lighting brightened the evening hours, her fear of the dark persisted. Finally, as a married adult with children, she began to ask God to help her overcome her fear, and He answered her prayers. She’s no longer afraid of the dark!
By its nature, light dispels darkness, and so God was like a torch on a dark night for David, chasing his fears into the distant shadows. In Psalm 27, he confidently declared, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
With God lighting his way, David felt safe. He believed the Lord would help him in his troubles (Psalm 27:5). Anyone who knows they have a loving Protector close at hand will feel courageous when they’re threatened. The problem is that sometimes our imagination magnifies whatever is threatening us and we can doubt God’s power.
David called out to God and could therefore say with confidence: “Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident” (Psalm 27:3).
When David faced the giant Goliath, his trust in God allowed him to shout, “This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:47). Do you believe God will help you when you’re afraid? One day, all our fear will be gone, and we’ll be safe in the light of God’s presence (Revelation 21:2-4). May we rest in Him today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 10:16-42
More:
Read Psalm 139:12 to see God’s perspective on darkness.
Next:
What are you most afraid of? How has this fear affected you? What might happen if you asked God to give you courage and take away your fear?
Gary Shultz on July 15, 2017 at 4:17 am
Hi Jennifer: Fear does come in many forms and it seems to be like waves on the ocean, it pushes us around and we certainly feel the ups and downs. Some of the big fears being health, security, and world events. I now even fear the dark, we have had a surge of black bear in our area, so caution should be used when out doors especially after dark, even if it’s just for skunks. As we are rolled around by life’s currents we need to change view points, as a frantic drowning person, if we but clam down and remember the the body floats, we can stop flailing and starting resting. The more a person reviews God’s promises, the more faith is restored. It would seem this event is easier for some than others, and the question should be answered why would that be true? If we are startled by fear we should recite all of the things and situations that God is not able to handle. Then it becomes an expectant time of trust, faith, and patience. Thanks Jennifer
jennifer schuldt on July 15, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Hi! I liked what you said about the link between feeling reassured and reviewing God’s promises. When God makes a promise, He always keeps it. This is how we know we can trust Him.
This morning I read about a time during King Hezekiah’s reign when the Assyrian army was ready to attack the Israelites. The King of Assyria had sent messengers to discourage and frighten God’s people in Jerusalem. Hezekiah prayed, and God responded by promising (through His prophet Isaiah) to “defend the city and save it” (Isaiah 37:35). That night, God wiped out 185,000 enemy troops. The Assyrians left and God’s people never had the face the enemies that threatened them (Isaiah 37:36-37)! This reminds me that God is with us even when we are disheartened and afraid.
tccarr777 on July 15, 2017 at 8:53 am
Great devotional Jennifer…thank you!
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
Rom 8:32
jennifer schuldt on July 15, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Beautiful verse. The category of “all things” includes courage and confidence in Him!
Tom Felten on July 15, 2017 at 1:06 pm
Jennifer, as John wrote, “Perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:18). As I truly grasp God’s amazing, perfect love it causes me to resist fear and embrace the power and hope found in Jesus!
jennifer schuldt on July 15, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Tom, this is so true. Thank you for living this out for so many people to see. May God be lifted up.
darylcrisp on July 15, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Jenn
thanks so much for this inspirational writing today. and thanks to everyones reply that seems to just reinforce everything I’ve felt in this past year.
Our God is truly faithful, and I’m a witness to His repeated works in my life.
Thank God for our moments and all His grace and mercy He extends to us
d
jennifer schuldt on July 15, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Praise God! He is our hope and salvation. Psalm 65:5.