Scripture
Psalm 27:1,3 ESV
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?…Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
Consider
Fear occupies the space in our hearts that God designed for peace. Peace and fear are as incompatible as light and darkness; when we are filled with one, the other disappears.
In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul offers a way to displace fear and anxiety:
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6-7
The Lord is at hand. Paul’s remedy for fear and anxiety is to remember that God is in charge of our lives and our world. More than that, God is a good Lord who cares deeply for his people. When we release to God our need for control and acknowledge the many ways God has blessed and protected us, then our hearts can turn from fear to thanksgiving and trust. God’s personal peace fills us, not only to give us rest but to guard us from further doubts and anxieties.
King David, the warrior songwriter of Psalm 27, sings of trusting God in the face of military dangers. New Testament writers describe such trust in the face of religious persecution and anxieties about the survival of the fledgling Church. Our modern-day fears are no less significant and no less paralyzing than those of the believers who lived before us. Jesus reassured his own anxious disciples with the same promises that are true for us today: Our heavenly Father knows our troubles and the fears that plague us. He delights in giving us peace and rest from our burdens and protection as we learn to trust in his unshakable love for us.
Pray
Gracious Father, I long for the peace that comes from trusting you completely. When words or circumstances frighten me, speak into my heart, Lord, and reassure me of your steadfast love. I ask for faith that is so strong and real that I can be peaceful, even when trouble threatens me, because I trust you to keep me safe.
Reflect
Psalm 23:4; Luke 12:4-7
Ponder
How might praise and thanksgiving help to drive fears from my heart and admit God’s peace?
Dorelle Ball
Jesus has been removed from schools and businesses due to separation of church and state. In America freedom of religion is a right. Religion does not belong in schools nor businesses. In Daniel’s time there was no separation of church and state.