December 11, Confidence or Dread?

Today’s reading: Psalms 51-55

“Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them” - Psalm 53:4-5.

David was once again calling out to the Lord because he was in trouble and the evildoers seemed to have the upper hand. Then he looked again and those same evildoers were overcome by God’s superior power that He deployed on behalf of His people. One of the characteristics David noticed that his enemies were afraid, when there was nothing to be afraid of. This is reminiscent of what the wisdom writer wrote in Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Are you overwhelmed with dread when there is nothing to dread? Do you live in fear of a particular sickness or disease? Are you afraid of losing your job, or of being humiliated? Do you fear poverty? What is it that causes you to cower in fear instead of boldly proceeding with full confidence in God’s ability to protect and preserve you? Have a talk with yourself today and then keep the conversation going, using Bible verses, past testimonies, and future goals that will enable you to move beyond dread to confidence as stated in Psalm 71:5: “For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”