Following In The Midst of Fear
I must admit that there have been times when I’ve been afraid of what will happen next. As we’ve walked through this pandemic, I have experienced some fear. I haven’t been paralyzed, but I’ve been fearful for the health of family and friends. My faith has definitely helped me overcome so much fear. FEAR is “False Evidence Appearing Real”. I believe that much of what I fear is not real and it’s not coming to past. Fear is easier than faith. Sometimes cultivating my faith takes a bit of work. I’ve decided to keep going to God’s Word to feed my faith and it has helped diminish my fear.
David’s administration as King of Israel seemed to be going well. His son, Absalom created a coup to overthrow David as king. He worked on this for four years, winning the heart of the people by telling them what they wanted to hear. He then goes to Hebron where the coup begins. David learns about Absalom’s plan, so he decides to yield and escape the city rather than stay and fight. He realizes the toll on the people and city of Jerusalem, so he takes another tactic. It obviously comes from his trust in God. Check this out….
25 Then the king instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. “If the Lord sees fit,” David said, “he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle[f] again. 26 But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.”
30 David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the hill. 31 When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!” (2 Samuel 15:25-26, 30-31 NLT)
As I read this part of Israel’s history, I wonder if David just didn’t feel led to fight against his own son. I think David decided to let the Lord decide what is best. That took a lot of courage, because he’s trusting his future to the Lord rather than trying to “control his own destiny”. Looking back, it may seem wise; but I’m sure there was lots of commentary about this among the people that maybe David was scared.
I think David simply leaned into his faith and trust the Lord in the midst of his fear of the unknown. I think he probably even penned some Psalms during this time affirming his trust in the Lord. During this pandemic, I’ve been trying to be consistent seeking God’s heart. I’m seeking God’s guidance and His Wisdom to walk through this and lead others. I am navigating this through faith which is drowning out my fears. I’m thankful that the Lord has steadied my heart and my mind. He has given me confidence to follow Him and trust Him without knowing the outcome. That is the definition of faith.
Pressing On!
Dwayne