According to Jesus, a fear-filled disciple is a disciple of little faith (Matthew 8:26). The fearful are doomed (Revelation 21:8).
In Psalm 11, an introspective psalm of David, the question of why fear is so unbecoming of one whose faith is in Jehovah is confronted with brutal honesty. Verse one reads, “In the Lord I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, ’Flee as a bird to your mountain’?”
In response to this searching question, David considers the “reasons” for fear and the reasons for faith. As demonstrated by God’s people when Goliath intimidated them (1st Samuel 17), fear seems reasonable because the wicked threaten to destroy those who are upright in heart (v. 2). Such threats are intentionally designed to create despair and hopelessness (v. 3).
Although it appears otherwise, such fear is unreasonable and sinful, because it is a failure to walk by faith. David states three reasons why such fear is unnecessary and wrong.
First, it fails to trust in Jehovah’s holy sovereignty. “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (v. 4)
Second, it ignores the fact of God’s omniscience. “His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men” (v. 4).
Finally, it expresses disbelief in God’s righteousness. “The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright” (vv. 5-7).
Satan ever seeks to choke out faith in God by increasing our fears. When one of the devil’s Goliaths threatens you, do you see a giant, or do you see God? When the great storms of life arise and their waves threaten to cover your boat in the midst of life’s sea do you live by faith or by sight?
The truth about fear is that it is unnecessary, unreasonable, and inexcusable for those whose trust is in the Lord.
