What Fear Taught David About God

David's heart was pounding so hard he was sure his enemies could hear it. King Saul, the man he had faithfully served and loved, was hunting him down like prey. Every shadow could be a soldier. Every sound could mean death. David was exhausted from running, from hiding, from looking over his shoulder. The boy who had fearlessly faced Goliath was now trembling in a cave, wondering if he would see another sunrise.

This psalm offers David's raw honesty. He didn't pretend to be brave when he was terrified. He didn't quote faith verses while his hands were shaking. He simply said, "When I am afraid." Not if I get afraid. When. Like he knew fear would be a regular visitor in his life.

I wonder if you've felt that same guilt I have—like being afraid means you don't trust God enough. Like real faith should make you fearless. But David's words whisper something different to our anxious hearts: it's okay to be scared and still love God. It's okay to feel your heart racing and still believe He's good.

I can picture David in that terrifying moment, hearing footsteps echo outside his hiding place. His mind probably raced with all the what-ifs, all the ways this could end badly. But instead of letting fear make him panic, he let it make him pray. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Fear became his invitation to run into God's arms, instead of running away from Him.

Maybe you're afraid right now, friend. Maybe you lie awake at night worried about your child's choices, or you feel sick thinking about that medical test result, or you're paralyzed by the thought of losing someone you love. Maybe you're embarrassed that you're not stronger, braver, more faith-filled.

David's psalm gives you permission to be human. Fear doesn't mean you've failed—it means you need God. And when David chose to trust in the middle of his terror, something beautiful happened. His fear taught him just how big God really is. "What can mere mortals do to me?" Not because David stopped feeling afraid, but because he discovered that God's love for him was bigger than anything that threatened him.

Your fear can become your teacher too, showing you just how safe you are in God's hands.

Will you pray with me?

God, I'm scared, and I'm tired of pretending I'm not. Help me run to You when fear overwhelms me. Remind my anxious heart that You're bigger than anything that threatens me. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. How does David's honesty about fear give you permission to bring your own fears to God?
2. What fear are you carrying that could become an invitation to trust God more deeply?
3. How has God shown His faithfulness to you in past moments of fear?