The Wise Put Their Trust In God And Refuse To Fear What Mere Humans Can Do To Them
From early childhood, our parents instill a healthy fear of hurt, harm, and danger in each of us. We learn to respect the burner on the stove and that we should not speak to strangers. When our parents tell us that the world can be scary, we believe them and develop a particular vigilance to ensure that we do not expose ourselves to unnecessary risk.
A great deal of that fear or caution is needed and healthy. However, our natural fears must be balanced with our faith in God. Let’s use David, a shepherd boy, as our example as we imagine ourselves in his situation. Yes, as you look at the Philistine Goliath, he is a giant, and you should respect the possibility that he may hurt you and brutally kill you. However, when the Lord begins to work in your heart that you need to face Goliath for the sake of God’s people, you must bring your faith to balance out your natural fears. You cannot fear people and please the Lord. You must deliberate pivot from fear to trust as you obey the Lord.
Many years after defeating Goliath to great acclaim, David wrote Psalm 56 while he was held captive by the same Philistines in Gath. The people who captured him had every reason to torture and ultimately kill him for the defeats he handed them in the past. However, David wrote this psalm to praise God and make his case before the Lord. He acknowledged that his fear was real but chose to trust God instead.
David praised God for His promises instead of complaining about his apparent problems. He asked himself an essential question in the middle of his fears:
“I trust in God. Why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
It is so crucial for us to trust God and not people. Too often, we run to the counterfeit refuges of our human relationships when the only true Refuge is God Himself. Only God can keep us safe from evil people. Even this portion from the Book of Proverbs emphasizes that life-changing reality:
If you want to be safe from scheming, selfish, angry people, you must balance out your natural fears and need for self-preservation with a solid faith in God, where you will experience actual safety.
By the way, God always rescued David from whoever tried to capture or kill him. He died at a good old age, and his writings still encourage people today. Please be encouraged when waves of fear and trepidation wash over you. When God elevates you, nobody can demote you!
Every day is an adventure when that kind of confidence comes into your life. You don’t run from life’s challenges because God is for you. If God is for you, who can be against you? Make a declaration for yourself and say, “I will not fear people. I will not fear what they can do to me. I will put my trust in God!”
Remember that the wise put their trust in God and refuse to fear what mere humans can do to them!
Excerpted from The Daily Christian: Wisdom by Iann Schonken.
Action Steps
- Have you been upset and fearful for your safety or livelihood lately? Let’s choose to trust God! Join King David and declare that you refuse to trust your fears even if your worst enemies capture you!
- Praise God for what He promised you in His Word. Take a minute and recite some of the extraordinary promises to you.
- If you don’t know any promises in the Word, just read Deuteronomy 28, where Moses listed the blessings that await those who obey the Lord. Just reading those promises is uplifting! Or, read Psalm 23 and thank the Lord that He is a good shepherd who guides, guards, and governs your life.
- Remind yourself that God is a mighty partner. You no longer have to fear people and their adverse reactions to your faith in God!
Review
- Introduction: Why Is Wisdom So Important?
- Day 1: Ask God To Teach You His Paths
- Day 2: The Words Of The Wise Bring Healing
- Day 3: God’s Word Cannot Be Ignored
- Day 4: God’s Word Shows Us What Is Good
- Day 5: God's Word Will Equip You For Life
- Day 6: God's Word Brings Healing
- Day 7: Wise People Stay Loyal And Kind
- Day 8: Allow God's Word to Dwell With You
- Day 9: It Is Wise To Use God’s Word As A Foundation For Your Life
- Day 10: The Wise Person Understands Ultimate Accountability Before God
- Day 11: It Is Wise To Ask God For Directions Each Day
- Day 12: God’s Wisdom Refreshes Your Soul And Brightens Your Eyes
- Day 13: It Is Wise To Request A Divine Assessment Of Your Heart
- Day 14: God’s Truth Guides Us In Life
- Day 15: God Can Open The Eyes Of The Wise To See What Is Hidden
- Day 16: The Wise Do Not Fear Bad News Because They Trust In God
- Day 17: The Wise Treat God's Word As Truth
- Day 18: It Is Wise To Think About God’s Wisdom At All Times
- Day 19: The Wise Person Loves the Word Of God
- Day 20: God’s Wisdom Requires Self-Examination
- Day 21: The Wise Put Their Trust In God And Refuse To Fear What Mere Humans Can Do To Them
