Fear - What Do We Do With It? Psalms 27-29

 Psalms 27:3 (ESV)

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident. 

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Have you ever felt overpowered?   That is how David feels in the above verses.   We do not know the situation that David is faced with in the above passage.  But, in Psalm 27 David gives a real look into his emotional state.  In the above verse we read his confidence in the faithfulness of God.  He is sure, that no matter the situation, God is on his side.  It is important to recognize where David gets his confidence.   He does not get it from his production in life.  He does not get it from validation from others.  He does not get it because he has risen to the occasion and conquered.  He doesn’t express that his confidence comes from his preparation.  No, David’s confidence comes from his faith in God.    He sounds so secure in the above passage.  But, notice what he will say in just a few lines later of this poem: 

Psalms 27:9 (ESV)

Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

Apparently, David’s psychology has not caught up to his theology.   David is “feeling” something different than he is “thinking.”  How many times has that happened to us.  We “know” God is there and we “know” that God can take care of us, even when we are outnumbered over overwhelmed.  We can “state” in our belief statement that “we shall not fear.”  Yet, there fear is, staring us right in the face ... or, rather rearranging our facial muscles.   But, David is not lead by his emotions.  David is lead by his faith.  Note how he closes this song: 

Psalms 27:13-14 (ESV)

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living!

Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD!

David allows the theology of his life to rule and dominate the psychology of his life.  He does not deny the feelings of fear.  He doesn’t put on a face that hides the fear.  No, David writes a song about his fear.  But, he sandwiches the feelings in between absolute truths about God.  God will be his strength and, as he waits, God’s goodness will prevail.   God does not expect us to deny our fears when we are overwhelmed.  He just asks us to tuck them into the truths that He will never leave us or forsake us.