Does your mind ever play tricks on you? When I’m concerned, or tired, or overwhelmed, especially when I’m lying in bed, my mind often begins to play tricks on me. It starts to play the “what if” game.
What if the treatments don’t work?
What if the economy goes south?
What if I can’t overcome this situation?
Maybe you too, know that game well. Maybe you too, struggle to win every time you play.
David had reason to know fear intimately. Oh, he had great successes – after all he was a king. He was also the one named ‘A man after God’s own heart.’
He also knew what it was like to run for years from the King of the land in hopes of preserving his own life.
And he knew the fear of running from God.
In Psalm 27:1, he writes, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” (NIV)
When our minds wander from God and begin playing that dangerous and deadly ‘what if’ game, this verse is the perfect psalm to silence Satan. It’s his voice whispering the words of the ‘what if’ game, the words that worry the soul.
As I’m lying in the dark, worrying instead of worshipping, worrying instead of resting, I need to recall who has already conquered the darkness – who is the light.
The Lord.
Who is in control here? Who authors the outcome?
Do I?
Thank goodness, NO!
It is the Lord.
Who has authority over me and all that transpires in my life?
The Lord.
If the Lord does all that: Conquered the literal and spiritual darkness, completely controls my circumstances, and holds me in the palm of His hand; who shall I fear?
Absolutely no one.