While attending yesterday’s training session for Community Bible Study leaders, doubts assaulted me. What qualified me to lead a group of nine-year-olds? How would we adapt the study to do it virtually? Could I really lead a class all by myself? Don’t my many failings with my own kids disqualify me? As we prayed and progressed through training, peace eventually replaced my fears…
Until I woke up early this morning with even more doubts. Thankfully, worship music reminds me of God’s faithfulness despite my weaknesses. As I prayed for peace, God brought several songs to mind. Just before sunrise, I got up to prepare for church.
I headed downstairs to spend some time alone with the Lord. Instead of opening up to my regular Bible study, I started listening to the songs we would sing in today’s service. The words of the first song were so encouraging!
After allowing the music to wash over me, I searched the Bible app for verses related to the song’s lyrics.
Verse 1
My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
The first line drew me first to Psalm 3, which David wrote when his son Absolom was pursuing him with murderous intent.
Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Psalm 3:1
I considered my own doubts and fears. Like enemies, they were rising up against me. Could I really stand firm? How could I hold my ground? I found the answer in Ephesians:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13
The passage reminded me that my doubts and fears are not my actual enemies. They merely reflect the spiritual battle I’m engulfed in. To stand firm, I need to arm myself with truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and prayer.
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
As I contemplated the next line, I searched the Psalms for verses dealing with fear in the midst of war. I landed in Psalm 27:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
Psalm 27:1-3 NKJV
Why am I afraid? Whom shall I fear? God is stronger than my doubts and fears—stronger than the spiritual forces I’m battling against. And He’s on my side. The words of the chorus reaffirmed that.
Chorus
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
Those lyrics led me to Psalm 125, which tells how God always cares for His people.
Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 125: 1-2
Even though David had failed God multiple times, he could still rely on Him. Despite my own failings, God always surrounds and protects me, much like Secret Service agents guard the President. I can count on Him to always be my refuge and strength.
Verse 2
Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
The second line of the next verse stood out like a sore thumb. Who can actually rest when trouble, chaos, and war are all around? Yet that’s precisely what Jesus calls us to do.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Later I found a similar idea in Psalm 46:
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Knowing I can count on Jesus to exchange his light burden for my heavy one, I truly can experience His rest. When I remember that God is ultimately in control, I can have peace even amid trouble and chaos.
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Glancing back up at the beginning of Psalm 46, I was amazed at how well the words fit this morning’s song:
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV
When I choose to trust Jesus, fear no longer rules me. The God who created the world and everything in it is greater than any trouble I could ever face. And He loves me. Do you remember how Peter actually walked on water when He trusted Jesus completely and remained focused on Him? With God’s help, I can do what seems impossible.
Bridge
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
After mere seconds of pondering the bridge, I recognized the familiar words of a favorite Psalm:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Psalm 121
Why is God always able to come to my rescue? He’s all-powerful and never sleeps. He loves and cares for me like no one else ever could. He can protect and preserve not only my body but my soul as well.
Trusting God’s Direction
By the time I reached the end of the song, the questions, doubts, and fears I had awoken with faded into the background. Though challenges are sure to arise while I teach my Community Bible Study class, God will guide and equip me to overcome each one. My greatest hurdle will be taking my eyes off of myself—my doubts, fears, failures, and selfish desires. The strongest weapon in my arsenal is prayer. As I seek God and stay focused on His perfect will, He will direct me.
Lord, thank you that no matter how crazy my life gets, you’re always with me. You never abandon me. Help me not to be overwhelmed with fear and doubt but to trust in You. Amen.