WHOM SHALL I FEAR? (David Dann)

As the inspired psalmist, King David writes, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident" (Psa. 27:1-3).
 
As one whose life was hunted by the jealous King Saul, as one who faced numerous enemies as King of Israel, and as one who saw even his closest friends and family members turn against him, David expressed an attitude of complete trust in God rather than an attitude manifesting a fear of man. How was he able to place his trust in God instead of collapsing under the weight of fear and worry? The answer is that David's attitude of trust was rooted in his recognition of who God is.
 
Notice the following key statements made in the first verse of the psalm:
 
The Lord is my light. God provides guidance for those who trust and obey His will, even in dark times and under difficult circumstances. The psalmist spoke to God, saying, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psa. 119:105). Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12). In following the word of the Lord, the faithful child of God possesses the direction and guidance that is needed to overcome life's challenges and trials.
 
The Lord is my salvation. God provides help and deliverance for those who trust and obey His will, even when the situation appears bleak. While God possesses the power to grant the petitions of His people and "knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Pet. 2:9), He has already provided the greatest deliverance possible by rescuing man from the guilt and condemnation of sin. Of this deliverance the apostle Paul writes, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). In coming to Christ for forgiveness, the faithful child of God is able to lay hold on the hope of eternal life which overshadows the trials and challenges of life.
 
The Lord is the strength of my life. God provides shelter and defense for those who trust and obey His will, even in the most troubling times. As David says in another psalm, "I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psa. 18:1-2). Even in times of physical weakness and limitation, the faithful can say with the imprisoned apostle Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). In depending on the Lord for help and protection, the faithful child of God is able to lean on His infinite strength in order to overcome life's challenges and trials.
 
Conclusion
    
Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and overwhelming difficulties, the faithful need not fear. True courage and confidence are not found in our own abilities, but in the power and might of the God whom we serve. King David closes the twenty-seventh psalm with these words: "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psa. 27:14). As long as you are on the Lord's side you have nothing to fear.