My father had way too many fears for his own good.  Held him back from what he said he wanted to do.  Or did it?  We’ll never know as he’s been gone for decades now.  Not only my father, as I’ve had my own as well.  Who hasn’t?

The heebie-jeebies cold feet rarely produce much fun.  However, sometimes they keep us from the brink of a mega-mistake.  This is fear’s good part.  However, it takes so much effort to plow ahead overcoming those jittery shakes.  Like an unwelcome arm pulling me back, robbing me of joy and satisfaction.

Psalm 56 prescribes help.  One thing, right off the bat, is that having fears, even crippling ones, is not sin.  David, the psalmist here, is filled with them.  For his life primarily.  The Philistines are out to get him.  David doesn’t kick himself for being afraid.  After all, he knows where to get help.  As we do, don’t we?  Yes, the Lord–‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;  I shall not be afraid.  What can flesh do to me?’ (Psalm 56:3-4).

Fear and trust are yoked together, hand-in-hand.  Left with fears alone, we’d be up a tree with out-of-control anxieties.  No hope.  No one to trust in.  But with the Lord on our side, trust marches front and center.  Fear flees heading to the hills.  ‘This I know, that God is for me’ (Psalm 56:9).

Do you know that God is on your side?  I wonder sometimes why He hangs around with one so faithless and fearful.  Me!  Why does He?  Because He loves me…and you.  Which has nothing to do with my efforts, my achievements, education, money invested, size of home or car.  Whatever.  None of that.  Rather, it’s all about Jesus.  All up to Him.  In His court–where we most need it to be.

When fears come, face them with the Lord by your side.  He stands incognito in front of and behind us.  Surrounded by God.  Never out of His care.  Never alone.  Nothing to fear?  Really?  I’ll chew on that this week.  You too?

For standing with us, dear God, we give you thanks and praise.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.