Fear

Bible Passage: Psalm 56

I. Tactics of the enemy:

1. Attack (verse 1)
2. Oppress (verse 1)
3. Fight (verse 2)
4. Stir up strife (verse 5)
5. Plot harm (verse 5)
6. Stalk and lurk (verse 6)—Watch every movements
7. Look for opportunities to snuff out life (verse 7)

II. State of the psalmist: fear (verse 3)

1. Of man
2. For life

III. Consequence of fear (verse 3, cf. 1 Sam 23:12)

IV. The psalmist handles his fear with two spiritual tools

1. Prayer
a. The psalmist becomes vulnerable before God
b. He appeals to the divine mercy over merit
2. Trust in God and His Word
a. The psalmist trusts in God’s promises of salvation (verse 8)
b. That assures divine “nearness”—”fear not” (verse 9)
c.- “Trust in God” raised the psalmist above fear of man (What can mere men do to me? Verse 4, 11)
V. Fear turned to confidence

1. My enemies will turn back when I cry out to you for help; I know that God is on my side (verse 9)
2. Thankfulness even before the psalmist was fully (verse 12)
3. Decision to serve God (verse 13)

VI. Jesus encourages His stranded disciples not to be afraid (Mark 6:53)

1. We are not in control of what is happening around us
2. But we can take control of our reactions and responses
3. Fear of man, life, and future can paralyses us
4.The psalmist teaches us that we can get victory over our fear with prayer and trust in God
5. We need not control how God answers our prayer because it belongs to Him
6. But we need to know that He is Sovereign
7. Ultimately God is to be glorified in and through our situation

Take Away:

Trust in God and His promises