The most often repeated command in the Bible is “fear not.” It is repeated 144 times. The very fact that the Lord repeats this command so many times speaks to the reality of the struggle. Psalm 56 is about fighting our fears. The theme of the psalm is stated in verse 3. “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” In last month’s devotional, we saw that the first verse instructs us to identify our fears. Psalm 56 next teaches us to consider our responses to our fears.
Instinctively, we respond to fear by trying to find a way to get the situation under control. We try to avoid our fears. This can take the form of avoiding putting ourselves in certain situations. It can also take the form of living in denial. We also try to fortify ourselves against that which scares us. We tell ourselves that everything will be ok. We look around at others who have gotten through what we are afraid of. We research every possible scenario so that we can prepare ourselves for every eventuality. How many bricks need to be added to your castle before you are convinced that it cannot be breached? We might find short term relief from these responses, but leaning on our own understanding is destined to fail. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
Trusting the Lord is the only way to overcome fear. Even legitimate fears can be spiritual downfalls when they are not handled by trusting the Lord. In Mark 4, the disciples were on a boat on the Sea of Galilee and a great storm arose. They thought they were going to die. Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. They yelled out to Him, “Don’t you care that we are all going to die?” He got up and calmed the sea. Then He rebuked them for their lack of faith. It is legitimate to be afraid if you are in a small boat in the sea in the middle of a violent storm. But faith and fear cannot exist simultaneously. They forgot that Jesus had told them that they were going to the other side. Faith is a deliberate act of defiance against my fears. Psalm 56:3, 4, 10 & 11 give the prescription for fighting fear. Fight your fear. I will trust. I will praise. I will not fear.
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