Special Encouragment from God’s Word Day 3
No Need to Fear
By Major Beth Desplancke
Territorial Women’s Ministries Program Secretary
Read Psalm 3:1-8.
Fear is all around us these days. So much is happening in our world right now at a fast pace, so fear is inevitable. Fear can be paralyzing. But the good news is that we don’t need to fear anything. If we fear God, if we are His child and love, respect and follow Him, we need not fear anything else in this world.
David was facing a fearful situation when he wrote Psalm 3. The inscription says that it was during the time David fled from his son Absalom. You can read the story in 2 Samuel 15. David was surrounded by his enemies who wanted to kill him. Absalom wanted to get rid of his dad, so he could be king. Not an easy time for David, and yet he wrote in verse 6: I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
We too, can be like David, and not be afraid because of three key things found in this psalm.
1. We need not fear because we are shielded by God.
The first reason David need not fear, is because He has God as his shield. Verse 3 says, But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
The shield was an ancient warrior’s primary defensive weapon. Using military imagery, he is making a connection between the protective properties of a shield in battle with God’s protective care in life. David says he is surrounded by God; he is shielded on all sides. The protection from God is far above, beneath, around, without and within. Though David is feeling the pressure of being surrounded, he also recognizes that his protection is even better.
As God’s child, we are promised His protection, surrounding us like a shield. You have a divine shield that never fails. Yes, you will have troubles. You will have difficulties. You will have temptations and you will sin. Still, you will be protected by God. He will only let happen to you what is in His perfect plan and purpose for you. You won’t always understand what is going on in your life. But you can trust Him confident, that He is shielding you from danger.
2. We need fear because we are known by God.
David says in verses 4-5: I call out to the Lord, and he answers me in his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. David is confident in the fact that the Lord not only knows him and his predicament, God hears his prayers, and is watching over him.
There is great comfort knowing that you haven’t been forgotten or overlooked. We are seen by God. Nothing escapes His watchful eye. Everything we experience happened to us while God was watching over us. He sees and knows your predicament. He knows what you need. He will sustain you.
3. We are victorious in God.
Verses 7-8 David says, Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
There is a change of tone here. David seems more confident, triumphant. Had his situation changed? No! But David confidently knew that victory comes from the Lord. No matter what happened, God’s purposes would be fulfilled.
We are not to live defeated, fearful lives. That is what our enemy wants. We are to live victoriously through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we live in fear, the enemy wins. But he is a defeated foe. The Lord has already defeated him. We don’t need to be afraid because God is greater than anything we face.
My dear friend, what fears are you facing today? We don’t need to be overwhelmed with fear. If we are God’s child, we need fear anything, because God is our shield, He knows where we are at and knows what we need, and He is the victor – and that makes us victors through Him.
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