The psalms are full of real people expressing what it feels like to be human. Psalm 27 is an expression of perseverance, faith, and longing. The writer pleads for God’s presence and deliverance from danger. The psalmist also encourages himself and his community saying, “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?” (Psalm 27:1).
The truth is we don’t always feel brave. We don’t always feel ready to confront our fears and struggles. In these moments, we can hold on tight to God’s word. We can find verses and stories that remind us that people have been standing up to their fears for a long time. The psalms offer a way to explore both human emotion and the realities of a life of faith. Fear has no power in the light of Christ’s mercy and grace.
This message is adapted from “Faith Reflections: Fear, opportunity or challenge?” written by Emily Carson that first appeared in the June 2011 issue of Café magazine.
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