Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Fear of Man and Circumstances, Or Fear God? Psalms 21-23

Psalms 21:13 (ESV)

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.


Psalm 21 started out with this statement:


Psalms 21:1 (ESV)

O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,

and in your salvation how greatly he exults!


Throughout the song King David is expressing praise to God for His various attributes.   He writes about:


1.  The graciousness of God to give us both life and rich blessings - these seem to be spiritual and material blessings (vvs. 1-6).  This comes, per David, from God’s steadfast love.  


2. The protection of God.  God not only protects us but also defeats our enemies (vvs. 8-12).    God not only knows the plans of the wicked against God’s children, God destroys them and their plans.   


In the final verse, above, David praises God for his great strength and power.  God can give us blessings and can protect us because of His great strength and power.   In our fears in life we totally underestimate God’s power and strength.   We often come to a place of seeing the circumstances and situations that create our fears and not the power of a faithful and steadfast God who can protect and bless us, despite our fears.   When our eyes delay long over problems and threats of life and don’t dwell intensely on who God is, especially the attribute of His divine power, we are often found in a spiritual fetal position.    The enemy knows God’s power.  They fear and tremble at it:


James 2:19 (ESV)

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!


Satan and his minions actually shudder at the thought of God.   We are to bring worship to God in the same way:


Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.


Also:


Philippians 2:12-13

Lights in the World

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who WORKS IN you, both to WILL and to WORK for his good pleasure.


We are blessed and protected by God because our God is an awesome God.  If the demons tremble at God’s power, why do we doubt God’s power?  


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