Psalm 56:3, 4  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

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Fear incapacitates. Faith empowers. 

King David faced and defeated a lion, a bear, and a giant. He was a mighty warrior. People sang his praises. He lived what we would consider a fearless life. 

David tells us he is not as fearless as he appears. He says, “When I am afraid, . . .” There is no false bravado here. There is no pretense. There is only honesty. We see this gut-level truth in the word, when. David didn’t try to weasel out of confessing his fear by saying, if. He called it by name. He acknowledged it for what it was. 

He also tells us what to do with fear. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” There are realities too big and too strong for you, me, and a fearless king. When we face something beyond our abilities, we should immediately place our trust in God. 

Fear reminds us of how small we are. Faith reminds fear of how big God is. We live in the grip of his grace. People are no match for God. They cannot pry us from his hand. (See John 10:28, 29.)

Fear brings questions. Faith brings answers.

Fear brings accusations. Faith brings affirmations. 

Fear brings dread. Faith brings joy.

Fear brings darkness. Faith brings the light of life (verse 13).

Ten little words remind us what to do when we are afraid: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” These are words worth committing to memory. You and I will need them again and again as we learn the lessons of fearless, faithful living. 

Our Father, everything causing me fear is smaller and weaker than you. I belong to you. I trust in you. Amen.