Whom Shall I Fear?
by Liz Griffin
When life is going well, we can just relax and enjoy great peace and joy, but when things happen to disturb that bubble, such as a sudden crisis, confidence ebbs away and we can feel insecure. Fears flood in. I believe, as a Christian, this is not the time to be passive but it’s a time to take action about those feelings of fear and to decide to pray and do spiritual warfare.
It is also a time to open the bible and see what the Lord has to say. Is there a message placed within it which brings hope and encouragement in your situation?
I found Psalm 27 is a good psalm which encourages me in a time of crisis. David is so confident. He proclaims that the LORD is his light and salvation, the strength of his life. ‘Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident’ (Psalm 27:3). David says he has desired one thing and really searched for it; to dwell in the house of the LORD every day, beholding His beauty and asking Him for help in that safe place. ‘One thing have I desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to enquire in His temple’ (Psalm 27:4).
David is also confident that, ‘in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock’ (Psalm 27:5). In this place of protection from the LORD David knows he will be lifted up from the power of his enemies, and he will yet again express his joy in sacrifices of thanksgiving and songs of praise.
David also addresses another cause of great insecurity, being abandoned by one’s parents. ‘When my mother and father forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me’ (Psalm 27:10). What trust and faith David has in God to be able to claim that! The assurance of God’s love is so powerful. It brings healing to the hearts of those who have, in reality, been abandoned by their parents. They truly are able to find life-changing hope for today and the future, with complete assurance that they are truly precious to Father God and He loves them in a way no earthly parent could ever do.
But there are no perfect parents and many of us may have experienced some degree of wounding or rejection within our family or felt the pain of a parent’s death, which can feel like abandonment. No earthly parent can love us with the perfect unconditional love of Father God who can give comfort and assurance 24/7, during all of our life, and then in eternity.
David set his heart on seeking the presence of the Lord, longing to enter into close relationship with Him. Let us do the same at all times, but especially during times of trouble.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You have given me Psalm 27 and its beautiful words bring peace and hope to my heart. Help me to live as David did, seeking Your presence and sheltering in Your love. May I be courageous and strong in the assurance that my spiritual enemies can’t win the battle against me and my head will be lifted above them. I choose to focus on waiting for You to guide me and direct me in the right path for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
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