Freedom From Fear

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 NIV).

We began our study in this Psalm yesterday. Let me back up and give you the setting. This Psalm was written by David while he was running for his life from Saul. During this time, David was forced to flee into enemy territory. While in Gath, the people recognized him and brought him to the attention of the king, Achish (Abimelech is the title of Philistian kings).

Quick quiz: what famous person was from Gath? If you said Goliath you are right! David seeks refuge in the city of the great Philistine champion. David had killed this home-town hero and by that act had turned the fortunes of war to Israel’s favor. I don’t believe the sight of him in the city was a very welcomed one! If you want to read more of the setting of this Psalm read 1 Samuel 21:10-22:1.

With that said, let’s pick up where we left off in our study. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Did you catch that? David wasn’t instantly delivered from his circumstances, that would not happen for another 13 years. But David was delivered from the fear of his situation. When we seek God’s face, worry and fear flee. Like David we can find ourselves in what appears to be hopeless circumstances and yet experience a blessed, unexplainable peace and sense of comfort and security. The Bible says, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) The Message renders this particular passage this way: “6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Emphasis mine). Pearrell loose translation: “The peace that God gives doesn’t make sense to those watching.”

David’s deliverance was from his fears, not from his circumstances. Many times we seem to get upset with God when He doesn’t rend the heavens and come to our aid. Truth be told, He has come to our aid. The problem we have is that we want His help on our terms and because of this sinful selfishness we miss the help He has given!

What fears are you facing today? You can either focus on them and develop all sorts of worries, anxieties and emotional problems, or you can focus on God and find His wonderful freedom from fear.