Today's Devotional is written by Pastor Roy Summers
My Last Devotional (for a while)
Lockdown One began around one year ago. And since then, with the exception of a few months on Sabbatical I have endeavoured to write a regular devotional.
But this is my last one for a time (unless I get a sudden burst of inspiration!) First, because I need a rest from writing. Unlike the inexhaustable creative stamina of God, our inventive energy is limited. God could write a devotional every day for all eternity and never tire! But not us. And secondly, at least for a while, as a church pastor, I must put my energies into opening up the church again. On Sunday 27th June Manor Park Church, Worcester, England, hope to meet all together as a church and there is work to be done getting us there.
I am hoping our good friend Martin will continue his Friday devotionals to the end of Philippians, though!
So to my last devotional...
The Nameless Fear
I said to my wife, just yesterday, that on occasion, but fortunately not very often, an intense anxiety and fear comes over me. Nine of ten times, it has no known source. There is nothing in my life at that moment to account for it, no rational trigger.
This dark cloud, which I do not call depression because it does not last very long, comes in and instant and likewise disappears in a puff of smoke. It may come in the day, but more often in the night-time.
My guess is that my experience is not unique, for we find in the Scriptures, many examples of fearfulness among the Lord's people. Normally, it is true, there is a known immediate cause.
Whatever the cause or duration of an attack of fear, the cure is always the same. Here it is:
"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Pslam 56:3)
In David's case the cause of his fear was tangible - he had been arrested by the Philistines in a place called Gath. As you know, the goldy, but human David, had many enemies. Some were jealous of him. Other attacks from the evil one were on account of his role as future king of Israel - and ancestor of the coming King of kings.
What did David do when he was afraid? Immediately, without delay, consistently, perpetually, regularly and instinctively, he turned to God in prayer. That is what it means to trust in God. Psalm 56 is his prayer in which verse 3 is embeded.
The Creator and Redeemer
We are turning, let us remember, to the God who made the heavens and the earth, the God who made us and the one who loves us more than we will ever fathom. Like a fearful child who knows that their loving and strong mother or father will respond to their anxiety and is able to dispel their fear, so we too can be assured that the Lord will hear and respond to our prayers.
So confident is David that he will escape the problem which has caused this fear that he says "What can mortal man do to me?" Yes, they may have arrested me, but if God wants me to escape he will liberate me and keep me safe until.
Summing it Up
I wish I could say that I always turn to God in prayer when seized with an unnamed anxiety. I do on many occasions and know his protection and comfort.
Let us learn, in the instant of fear, to trust in the Lord. Which means - which always means - to get on our knees, metaphorically or literally, and pray to the God who loves his children, hears them, and will comfort them with his Holy Spirit through the Word.
Someone has said that we are growing in godliness when the time between sin and confession shortens: every time we sin we confess and repent straight away. And we are growing in trust when the time between fear and prayer is no more.
A Lullaby for the Day
The Getty duo have been writing a few lulabies during this past lockdown year. And this one is designed to calm a child's fearful heart. But since when it comes to trust we should always be like little children here it is for all of us.
Consider the stars in the sky
Look up and wonder, can you count their number?
Consider the stars in the sky
Umbrella to hide in, a dance floor of heaven
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Consider the stars in the sky
When it is darkest they shine out the brightest
Consider the stars in the sky
In every anguish, oh child take courage
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
He who made all of this
And who holds all of this
Holds you in His hands
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Mmm
Consider the star in the sky
Diamond in a ring, over thе Child King
Consider the stars in the sky
Grace He had promised, coming to find us
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
He who made all of this
Says, "You're worth more than this"
Holds you in His hands
Do not be afraid
You can listen to it HERE.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our dear loving Fatehr in heaven,
We worship your great and hallowed name. There is no-one like you. We acknowledge your power, your majesty and your great love for us.
Forgive us when we worry and fret.
Teach us to trust you. Like the pslamist may we always turn to you and teach us to do this every time we are afraid.
We ask these things, not only for our good, but for your great glory.
Amen
Photo by Erick Zajac on Unsplash
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