Trust, Not Fear

This is the first in a series of blogs, pastoral letters, that we will write over the next few weeks.  Each will look at an issue we are facing as a result of COVID-19, the restrictions and the many other social tensions we are facing.  Each blog will look to the bible, giving us the lens to see the issues clearly, the language to discuss them biblically and grounding our joy and confidence in God’s Word.

This first instalment looks to one of my favourite Psalms, Psalm 27.

“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?”

Psalm 27:1

Picking a favourite bible verse or Psalm proves a difficult task.  I often read one, or recall it from memory, thinking “This is a favourite.”  But then I read or recall another, and another.  Perhaps there is no such thing as a favourite.  Instead, the Lord God has ordained particular verses carry more weight at different times and seasons.

Surely, Psalm 27 speaks to us today.

Different commentators place the writing of this Psalm at different times in David’s life.  The precise historical context is less important for us today than the simple fact that whatever he is specifically facing, David is preaching a really good sermon to his own soul.  This sermon, captured in holy scripture, convicts and confirms us thousands of years later.  It is a simple verse to memorize so we can exhort our own souls, too.

Polarized by Fear

Fear is driving so much of the social narrative and polarizing division in our world today.  Fear of a virus, on the one hand.  Fear of a vaccine, on the other.  Fear of gathering.  Fear of government overreach.  Fear of death.  Fear of living.  Fear of each other.  All social ills are driven by fear.  I need not give examples, it is seen at both extremes of every issue and at most points between.  I regularly assess my own thoughts and actions to see if and how they are shaped by fear.  Perhaps you should, too.

Fear’s antidote is not found in brash, brazen arrogance.  Neither is it occasion for timid cowering or hiding.  Fear is displaced by knowing and trusting in the Lord.  

I imagine David, aware of fear and the grip of paralyzing anxiety, pausing, taking a breath, and reflecting on the panic-displacing truths of the Lord’s character and the Lord’s actions to and for His people.  The Lord is MY light and salvation!  The Lord is the stronghold of MY life!  Whom shall I fear?  Of whom shall I be afraid?  

Lost in a wash of personal subjective fear, David turns to the only antidote; objective truths about the Lord.  Truths far greater than any fear.  

The same is true for us today.

Recalibrate Your Life

Reminding ourselves that the Lord is our light, salvation and the stronghold of our life will serve as the only countermeasure to recalibrate our life, our choices, our families and our world.  Brock and I were talking recently and he said to me, “We have God’s Word, and we are going to live forever!”  Feel the fear displacing weight of biblical truth!

Christians live in and from joy-filled confidence.  Never fear.

So take whatever precautions you might feel necessary to protect yourself from COVID-19 and its variants.  Watch critically for government over-reach.  But remain vigilant in your inner-war against fear.  When you see it creep in preach your best sermon to yourself.  Like David in Psalm 27, anchor your hope in immutable truths of the Lord.  Your walk through these days will be marked by  unshakeable confidence.  You will be more gracious with others.  You will truly be salt that seasons and prevents rot in your family and in the world around you.  You will be light that dispels the darkness of lies and fear.

Say it aloud even now, “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?”