Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-066 Sunday 01 Apr 2001

Reading: PSALM 56 – RUNNING SCARED

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

Fear makes us run away; faith makes us stay put, trusting in God to protect us.

People often project an aura of invulnerability and of courage. Many believe that through modern science, we can do almost everything. For have we not plumbed the core of the earth, scoured the expanse of the seas, and reached up into outer space? And are we not attempting to make the world one global village today? What, then, are we to be afraid of?

Yet, we know this stance is mere bluffing. Deep within us lurk many fears. Was it not only a year and a half ago that fear of the ‘Y2K’ bug attack on computers caused a worldwide panic, driving some people to hoard food and dig bunkers? The truth is, we are a fearful lot. When our security is threatened, our integrity is questioned, or our relationships break down, we find it hard to cope.

David felt like this as he escaped from King Saul and took refuge under one whose loyalty he mistrusted (See 1 Sam 21:13-22:1). In his situation, David admitted his fear. ‘I am afraid’, he said and named the causes of his fear (vs 2,5-6).

To confess we are afraid is not a sign of weakness, but of courage. As we admit and articulate it, like David, we begin to see the reasons for it more objectively. And we also begin to see a way out.

After David had looked inside him self and seen only fear, he looked up to God and saw only love. He was moved to declare: ‘I will trust in you’. He reiterated this (vs 4,10-11) until he stopped quaking and felt God’s deliverance and peace (v 13).

Have you felt afraid today? Face up to your fear and offer it to God. He casts out our fear, for he is love.

– Evelyn Miranda-Feliciano

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001