For several years now, I have voiced the same prayer at the beginning of the year: “Please God, no more fear.” I have wanted God to take away my fears.

I don’t know why I have been such a fearful person all of my life, but I know that I am not alone because when I have opened up about my fears, others have shared their own fears with me. Most people would not know this about me, because I project an outward appearance of calm and stability in spite of my internal stress and anxiety, but I know that it is not healthy for me to carry so much inside without at least being honest with those closest to me.

Among my many fears, including being stuck in an elevator, dying alone, or being a failure in life, I also have to admit that at times, I fear that God will give up on me if I do not keep up my side of the covenant!

I find it very comforting to read that David also struggled with this fear. No matter how much David was determined to obey God’s decrees, he knew that he fell short of the perfection that God’s laws demanded. And fortunately for David and myself, God knew that we would fail — but it is not in his nature to give up on us!

God will not “utterly” forsake us! It may feel like he is silent, or absent, or even hiding from us ( Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble [Psalm 119:8]) but the truth is that he continues to “rescue us” throughout our lives in ways that we cannot see! This song has been a reassuring reminder of the nature of our God, and I find myself singing the lyrics to keep my perspective a wholesome one:

Why not make this song your prayer today?

Throughout This Day: When you are fearful or anxious, take time to lie down/sit for a few moments, closing your eyes, and letting go of whatever is troubling you, breathing out in confession of your fears to God, breathing in His promise never to leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5). Pray until calm comes, relaxing each muscle, surrendering to God’s love for you.



Tags: A God-Focused Life Daily Devotional Psalm 119
Photo Credit: Phil Botha on Unsplash