Freedom From Fearing Your Future

Psalm 56:3,4

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

The beginning of a new year can be very exciting. It’s usually a time when people have resolutions on how to improve themselves or achieve a lofty goal. For others, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the past year’s successes and failures, and to contemplate adjustments moving forward. I am also aware of those who, despite surviving and making it through another year, the thought of entering a new year frightens them. Like a battle-weary soldier, anticipating the next round of combat, some of us are approaching the new year with a little trepidation. Questions of uncertainty and insecurity flood the minds and hearts of many, who under normal circumstances, would flourish in success and victory. Nevertheless, because of what they must endure socially, spiritually, financially, physically, etc., they view their lives as a failure. There is no positive expectation to endure another 365 days of “surviving”.

I remember the first instance when someone mocked me because of my faith. I was dealing with a situation in my life, and my response was that I was going to “Trust God because He never fails me.” The individual proceeded to laugh me to scorn, and basically told me that my response defied logic and was purely superstitious and emotional. In fact, they were disappointed in me because they considered me an intelligent person. Yikes!! To be quite honest with you, I was very offended, and it shook my faith a bit as a believer. Was it foolish of me to put my trust in God because I was afraid?

Recently, we experienced a terrible thunder storm. The rain was pouring and the lightning was flashing while the thunder continued to boom. In fact, we actually experienced feeling the house shake after the thunder shook it with extreme force. My son and daughter ran into the room and decided to jump in the bed with me. My daughter put my arm around her shoulders and she said, “Daddy, I’m scared.” At that moment, I did something that was so inappropriate. I laughed. First of all, what she said, sounded like something out of a television sitcom. We don't speak or sound like that in my house. Second of all...What am I supposed to do about the storm? I don’t have the power to stop a storm? My daughter looked at me and said, “Hey, what’s so funny?” I looked at her, while trying not to laugh again, and said, “I’m sorry, baby. I can’t stop the storm. I don’t have that type of power.” She replied, “I know. I just want you to be next to me, that’s all.” Interesting. In turns out: My presence gave her comfort. My presence gave her strength. My presence gave her comfort. My presence gave her a confidence that she did not have when she was alone.

In Psalm 56:3,4, the Psalmist says, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you, I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” The Psalmist makes a powerful confession. He admits that he is afraid. He also confesses that his fear will not prevent him from putting his trust in the LORD. With his confession, there are two things that the Psalmist realizes. Even with his limited understanding of who God is, the first thing that the Psalmist realizes is that the LORD’s presence in his life matters. The LORD’s presence gives him strength. The LORD’s presence gives him comfort. The LORD’s presence gives him a confidence that he did not have when he was alone in fear. His fear drove him into the arms of the LORD, and unlike the situation with my daughter and I, the LORD has power over storms. The second thing that the Psalmist realizes is that the promises of the Lord are only validated by his presence. When my daughter was afraid, she ran to me because she had confidence that I would be there. My promises have value only when I have a track record of delivering on those promises. I wish that I could say that I have never let my daughter down, but the truth is, I'm human and I make mistakes. Nevertheless, my daughter still ran to me. If my daughter can still find comfort in the presence of a father that fails, how much more confidence should we have in the presence of a God who never fails. His promises are powerful because of His presence. Don't let fear drive you away from your Heavenly Father. Let it direct you to the warm embrace of a loving LORD.

Let the presence of the LORD give you strength, comfort, and confidence as you embrace this new year.