Psalm 56:3

NASB	NLT	VOICE
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.	3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.	3 When struck by fear, I let go, depending securely upon You alone.

Trust in God, not in Fear

Fear comes from external threats, like enemies or natural disasters. The psalmist David frequently faced danger. It’s not something to be condemned over, but it’s an opportunity to turn to God. To trust is an intentional choice to rely on who God is and His promises instead of falling into the fears of the world. We often see this trust symbolized as a place of refuge and strength. The Hebrew word for trust batach shows that this implies having confidence and security in God. It’s not a spur of the moment decision, but it’s based on God’s faithfulness and past actions.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Trust God is about making intentional decisions to rely on His character and promises. What is one characteristic or promise of God that you need to lean into right, and why?

Faith to Do What is Right

David’s psalms show how honest we can be with God about our fears. David shares his fears of death from Saul, his fears from the Philistines, and even his fears of his own actions with Bathsheba. David shows us the true representation of being authentic and genuine. Imagine what this would be like today to have someone tell you: “I am afraid I’m going to die because our leader is after me. I am afraid I’m going to die because of our enemies.” You would often think that they are exaggerating, making a big deal out of nothing, and may listen – but not intentionally listen. However, there are some people thinking like this today, and it’s legitimate.

We’ve been witnessing people being taken away from families without their due process. We are witnessing bodies that are supposed to represent justice, allowing the power to get to their soul and represent tyranny. These fears of how our world is behaving right now can lead us to be afraid, especially when we know these behaviors can directly affect our marginalized and oppressed friends and community members. They are afraid that their rights of life will be stripped because a select few in power don’t agree with how they live their lives. They are afraid that they will be pulled out from their family, friends, and workplaces, and detained without their proper paths of due process. Do I know what happens beyond closed doors? Not in the slightest, and I recognize the privilege that I have of that. The many stories that have come out as a response to their own experiences is a cause for both concern and reform. It’s a reminder that we need to make sure that all humans are treated with the same dignity and respect that you would want to receive yourself. Immigrant, citizen, documented, undocumented, law enforcement, citizens, and the list goes on – all people deserve to be treated as a human, regardless of the differences we have. I understand that we need to create a stir to make a change, but when our actions begin to dehumanize each other – it’s time we stop and re-tool. We remind ourselves of why we are fighting this fight, how we are fighting this fight, and look to how we can do better than before.

REFLECTION CHECKPONT: Look back at how you have loved your neighbors. Is there anything that you find that you could have done better at?

PRAY Action

Praise God for the trust that we have in Him. The goodness He brings and the promises He makes are eternal. They are a blessing that will never leave.

Read Proverbs 3:5-6

Ask God to do a check on your faith. Seek ways that you lean into His ways by faith instead of standing on our own beliefs. God’s ways are higher than our own.

You are not your fears. You are stronger than your fears. You are able to overcome, through the strength and power of God. God has given you everything you need to overcome all trials.

Next slice of manna: The Everlasting Rock || Isaiah 26:4 || Manna for the Mind #326