Whom Shall I Fear?

Posted June 26, 2023 | Judith Ingram

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.

Peace and fear are as incompatible as light and darkness; one displaces the other.

Click To Tweet

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?

Share
Comment

Seek God First

Posted June 19, 2023 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Psalm 5:7-8 NLT

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.

Consider

The psalmist gives us a beautiful image of God’s approachability, made possible by God’s unfailing love for us. Who else can offer us love that is reliable, unconditional, infinitely patient, and wholly intended for our good? With such love as this, God welcomes our knock on the door and invites us into his holy presence.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Be Wise About What is Good

Posted June 12, 2023 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Romans 16:17-18 NIV

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Consider

With the advent of social media and self-publishing, our world has exploded with tweets and blogs and self-help books that promise wisdom for modern living. The same is no less true in the church.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Steadfast Love

Posted June 5, 2023 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Matthew 26:30-32 NLT

Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

Consider

This passage follows the description of Jesus’ Last Supper with his twelve disciples. They each have experienced their master’s kneeling before them to wash their feet and have received the bread and wine of the new covenant.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Outsmarting Satan

Posted May 29, 2023 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NLT

When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

Consider

Forgiveness is God’s preferred way of dealing with broken relationships. Indeed, one can make the case that the entire Bible is a story of forgiveness—God’s plan from the beginning to heal and redeem a world alienated by sin.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Subscribe!

Want my free resource,  “Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Relationships,” plus my latest posts, delivered to your email inbox?

Judith’s Books