April 24, 2024
Managing Fear #
Ps 56:3, 11 Key verses
Introduction
When I think of David, I don’t think of a fearful person. I think of a giant killer, I think of slaying the bear, the lion. I think of a great warrior, a brave king, someone who is an over comer. Yet through it all, we find that warriors, victorious, brave warriors have fear!
If they have fear (and they do), how is it managed, and how can we be a victorious overcomer as they are. David clearly lays out for us some clear steps in this Psalm that will help us.
Psalm 56 is divided in to two parts that I really didn’t put into my outline,
verses 1-7 - DAVID’S PLIGHT
verses 8-13 - DAVID’S PRAISE
We will note three things out of this Psalm.
I. The Foe #
A. Daily (1, 2, 5) #
1. “daily oppresseth me.” 1 #
2. “would daily swallow me up:” 2 #
3. “Every day they wrest my words” 5 #
B. Dozens (2, 5, 6) #
1. “Mine enemies”, “they be many” 2 #
2. “They gather themselves together” 6 #
C. Determination (2, 6) #
1. “swallow me up” 2 – Not just in word, but destroy #
2. “they hide themselves” 6 - sneaky #
3. “they mark my steps” 6 – looking for a way #
4. “they wait for my soul” 6 – waiting to pounce #
D. We too face a foe #
1Pet. 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
II. The Fear #
A. Time of fear (3) #
B. Testing (God allows trials to grow us) #
1Pet. 4:12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
C. Turning to God (3) #
1. “I will trust in thee” 3 #
2. “I will praise his word” 4 #
3. “I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” 4 #
III. The Faith #
A. Prayer (8-9) #
1. Wanderings - “Thou tellest my wanderings” 8 #
2. Weeping (8-9) #
3. When was the last time, you seriously opened your heart to God? #
B. Praise (10) #
1. Both times in his word #
2. This Book brings peace, joy and praise! #
Psa. 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.