As we wake up to a new day and a new normal with our circumstances we are reminded by David once again of this great verse....
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. —Psalm 34:4-5
This verse is the verse we put on our Fearless shirt that we are using to raise money for those in need.
When we delve into the verse we see in Psalm 34:4-5 that David was afraid and in trouble. In fact, we know from the backstory to this Psalm (found in 1 Samuel 21:8-15) that David was running for his life from King Saul. What makes his predicament so remarkable is that David had established himself as a brave warrior who was loyal to the king. He initially sealed his fame by courageously defeating a giant named Goliath armed with nothing but a slingshot. Now David was a fugitive in his enemy Goliath’s hometown of Gath, surviving only by pretending to be a crazy person, complete with drool running down his face. In an unjust turn of events, he had gone from “hero to zero.” He was in trouble.
So David “sought the Lord” (Psalm 34:4). He didn’t turn to his friends or resources. He turned to God.
Then something astounding happened: God ANSWERED. Don’t miss this: the God who created all that is… answered a man calling for help. And God delivered what he needed the most: peace. Every single one of David’s fears disappeared. God delivered him from all his fears. Isn’t that amazing?
Notice that God didn’t fix David’s predicament. No, the circumstances that threatened to destroy his faith, hope, and courage were likely still there. But something had changed and it was how David was dealing with those circumstances because of what God was doing to his heart.
God delivered something else as well: joy and vindication. David testifies that those who look to God for help, are so changed on the inside that others can see it on the outside: “they are radiant, and their faces are never covered in shame” (Psalm 34:5). Considering David’s humiliating fall and current status... this is quite a turnaround! Despite his circumstances, David was radiant with joy and unashamed because God was on his side. In the New Testament Paul summarized the believer’s confidence so well: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Don’t you love the absolutes in these promises? When we look to God, he delivers us from ALL our fears…those who look to him are NEVER ashamed.
My friends... This is absolute truth... Now lets go out and and live this!!!
Have a blessed and grateful day knowing how loved you are!!
Amen!
