Each of us has been a prisoner of fear at some point in our life. It may be the fear of darkness, rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness and perhaps death. Fear is the opposite of faith. Healthy faith that is placed solely on the Lord is the best medicine to overcome fear. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. For we look for that which is not yet seen as stated in Hebrews – Chapter 11.
David was man who had much to fear. Saul was after him; later his own children attempted to dethrone him. He probably experienced more fear than most people. His method of copping was to seek the face of God and encourage himself in God’s promises which he knew had been made to him. His prayers were not limited in scope or nature. He was a man of prayer and praise.
David Had An Exuberant Declaration of Faith
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord;
be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:1-14
We often run to God when things are not going so well and we experience difficulties. David made it a habit to seek God’s guidance every day. When trouble arrived at his door step, he was already in God’s presence and prepared to meet the test. As believers we can call upon God at all times, not only when troubles arise. Often we are short-sighted and call on the LORD only when trouble has surrounded us. Many problems could be avoided if we make it a habit to live in the presence of the LORD.
There are many issues in life that steal our peace. It may be a bad marriage, ill children or our own health issues, differences of belief, isolation or lingering pain. God desires to take the voids in our life and fill them and heal the brokenhearted. That was Jesus’ mission on earth.
David desired to live in the land of the living; he was going through trials yet he had confidence God would see him through the test with renewed life. David also knew how to wait patiently for the LORD while maintaining courage and bravery. He declared, “Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”
He had learned to wait on God as he ran for his life. We need to learn to wait upon the LORD in every area of our life: spiritually, physically and mentally as we walk daily in the presence of the LORD.
This is much more difficult to do than we think. Our eyes are on the natural things of life and it requires a passion for Christ to have an upward vision each day to behold the beauty of His creation and to meditate on His Word.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-24
