Free from Fear

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4, NLT*

Anointed as the future king of Israel, as a young man David spent years on the run from the current king, Saul. When he first fled from Saul’s palace, leaving behind his wife and his best friend, David went to the enemy Philistines for refuge.

The Philistines recognized him, and David realized his life was still in danger. He pretended to be insane, and the Philistine king sent him away. (You can read the story in 1 Samuel 21:10-14.)

Psalm 34 looks back on that experience. The introductory note uses a different name for the king (Abimilech instead of Achish) but according to the Geneva Bible, “Abimilech” was a term used for all the Philistine kings.

In that context, today’s verse makes me stop and think. David said “He freed me from all my fears.”

God kept David safe and got him out of the Philistines’ clutches, but David knew Saul still wanted to kill him. And David had an honourable streak that wouldn’t let him kill Saul first.

David’s reason for fear—Saul—was very much alive and well. But David declared that he’d been set free from all his fears.

To me, that suggests an important distinction. Maybe it echoes another David-psalm where he rejoices that his Shepherd is even with him in the dark valley under death’s shadow. (Psalm 23)

The danger hadn’t changed, but David had. Fear didn’t own him anymore.

This wasn’t David’s first experience with God’s trustworthiness. Growing up, he faced down lions and other predators. Then he acted in faith to kill the giant, Goliath. (1 Samuel 17)

I think he fled from Saul in disappointment, discouragement and panic. And somehow, his experience with the Philistines reminded him where he needed to put his trust.

Even when we can’t change our circumstances, we can change how we respond. We don’t have to act insane like David did, but we can choose to rely on our strong God.

My theme message in my novel, Heaven’s Prey, is “Whatever happens, Jesus will be there.” I think that’s what David remembered in his moment of Philistine-induced terror. It’s what I need to remember every time fear or anxiety start to whisper.

It isn’t easy, and it’s not a one-time deal for most of us. It often starts with bringing God our fears, and saying “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:14-29)

He will.

We will still feel fear. But we don’t need to be afraid, bound by that fear. Our God is bigger.

God, our strong and mighty refuge, You promised to never leave us, and to shepherd and shield us. Whether you lead us through easy terrain or dangerous paths, help us remember that You are with us. Help us trust Your love. We know that doesn’t mean we’ll live pain-free, happy lives, but whatever  happens, You will be with us to carry us through, to Your glory and ultimately for our good.

Let these words from Jeremy Camp sink into our spirits today: “Trust in You (I Will Not Be Afraid).”

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

6 thoughts on “Free from Fear

  1. Ruth Ann Adams

    Thanks, Janet. I especially appreciated what you said about how fear is something we may have to face time and time again, but how God is with us all the time, no matter what the circumstances. Loved the reference to Ruth in Heaven’s Prey. Thank you for all the time you put into your very encouraging blog. Blessings!

    Reply
  2. Lynn A. Davidson

    Interesting that I asked on my blog a week ago “Does fear control your life?” It did mine, and still has a run at me now and again. Perhaps there is an underlying layer of fear that keeps me from moving forward in my writing even now.

    Reply
  3. raiseyourgaze

    Janet, I like your treatment of Psalm 34 and its relationship to David’s experience among the Philistines.
    That our release from fear is “not a one-time deal for most of us. It often starts with bringing God our fears, and saying ‘Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief’” is a helpful, honest and ‘spiritually practical’ application. Thank you. ~~+~~

    Reply
    1. Janet Sketchley Post author

      Thank you, Peter. “Lord, I believe…” is one of those prayers I come back to time and again.

      As it happens, I’m reading the Psalms at the same time I’m reading through the life of David in the Books of Samuel, and it’s so interesting to me to see the extra depth that brings.

      Reply

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