Read Psalms 23-30
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? (Ps. 27:1).
Today, just as in yesterday's devotion, David knows well of what he is speaking. There were many times in life that he had much reason to be fearful for his own life. It would have been easy to cower in fear from Goliath as Israel's army did, but David knew the Lord was in control.
Who are we, as believers, to be fearful? What thing is there in the world that those that belong to Christ cannot stand against? There is no person or thing in this world that we need to be fearful of. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).
The scripture is clear on the fact that fear is an enemy to the believer. The devil uses fear to coerce mankind into doing his will. He desires people to be afraid of him. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). The Scripture tells us here to keep our thoughts clear in order to avoid being deceived into being fearful of the devil. We belong to Christ. The Holy Spirit lives inside our hearts. The devil cannot overcome us. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
There is only one person of whom the believer needs to be fearful. That is the Lord. This fear we should have for the Lord should be a reverent type fear. We need to have great respect for the Lord and His authority.
Those who are not believers should have this same fear as well. However, the fear that the sinner has should be even more intense. The believer has the assurance of salvation from the Lord. The unbeliever is one breath away from judgment. Their only hope is in Christ and His free offer of salvation. Dying without Christ is truly something of which you can be fearful. With his verses, he expressed his faith in this mighty God and gave us his reason why it is only reasonable to trust in such a God.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).
Thought for Today:
True wisdom will teach us that, like sheep, we need the Good Shepherd.
Word Studies:
26:1 slide, waver, fall; 26:2 reins, desires and thoughts; 26:4 dissemblers, pretenders, deceitful ones; 28:2 holy oracle, Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies; 28:3 mischief, evil.
Christ Revealed:
As our Shepherd (Ps. 23). Christ called Himself the Good Shepherd and vowed to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Prayer Suggestion: Pray and praise God for His faithfulness and mercy in keeping all His promises (2 Chron. 6:14-15).
Optional Reading: Colossians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Lamentations 3:22-23
