The passage
Psalm56:3–4
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
The study
Trust His wordDavid did not say that he was never afraid. He said, “What time I am afraid.”
Fear is real. Trouble is real. There are times when we do not know what tomorrow will bring, how a problem will work out, or what someone else may do. David knew those kinds of circumstances.
But notice what he did with his fear:
“I will trust in thee.”
The situation had not necessarily changed. The danger had not necessarily disappeared. David simply determined where he would place his confidence.
Then he tells us something important about that trust:
“In God I will praise his word.”
David's confidence in God was connected to confidence in what God had said. When circumstances produced fear, the word of God gave him something solid upon which to stand.
That is still true.
Our feelings change. Circumstances change. People change. News changes. Plans change.
God's word does not.
Faith does not require us to pretend that there is nothing to fear. Faith takes the fear that is present and answers it with what God has said.
David begins with:
“What time I am afraid…”
But after turning his attention toward God and His word, he can say:
“I will not fear.”
That is the difference between allowing circumstances to control our thinking and allowing the word of God to govern it.
Application
Carry it homeSomething to Think About This Week
When fear begins telling you what might happen, stop and ask:
What has God actually said?
Then put your confidence there.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
Prayer
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, when fear enters our hearts, help us to turn our thoughts toward You and trust what You have said in Your word. Give us faith to rest in Your promises and confidence to face each day knowing that You are faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.