Poetry Through Fear

Jealous King Saul had been trying to kill David. The spear he threw while David played the lyre barely missed him. So his wife helped David escape through a window while Saul’s men watched his house, intending to kill him in the morning.

Driven from his home, David became a fugitive, searching for someplace safe.

Then David crossed enemy lines into Gath. Goliath’s hometown. Not his best option, but perhaps he was hoping no one would notice one lonely wanderer. But the servants of King Achish recognized David and recalled the song about his victories.

Suddenly the place he ran to for safety wasn’t safe either.

David was afraid. Scripture doesn’t hide that from us.

As a young shepherd boy, David stood before Goliath and declared that the same Lord who rescued him from the lion and the bear would rescue him from the Philistine giant. He had refused Saul’s heavy armor and walked onto the battlefield trusting God.

David had learned to trust God through lions and bears, giants and battlefields.
But that didn’t mean he never felt fear again. David became the one being hunted.

The heading of Psalm 56 connects these words with the time the Philistines seized David in Gath:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Not IF I am afraid. When.

David’s trust did not mean he would never be afraid. It meant fear did not get the final word.
Throughout this Psalm David looks honestly at what is happening around him.
Men trample him. Attackers oppress him. Enemies lurk and watch his steps.
David doesn’t pretend they aren’t there.

But he knows God keeps count of his sorrow. God gathers his tears.

Enemies may rise against him.
But David knows that God is for him.

Later in the psalm, David asks (Psalm 56:11):
“What can man do to me?”

Not because people are incapable of hurting him. David knows better than that.
But because no enemy can wipe away God’s promises.
Not one frightening night, one desperate prayer, or one tear goes unnoticed by God.
David was afraid, but David trusted God.

I wish I could say I always respond like David. I know God is for me. I know He watches over me. I know He has been faithful before. But I’m pretty sure I would not be writing a song in the middle of my scariest moments. Maybe that is why I need David’s words when trouble surrounds me. I don’t have to pretend I am fearless. I can simply turn my frightened heart toward the One who has been faithful before and say with David:

When I am afraid,
I put my trust in You.

FEAR NOT when fear comes before courage.
BECAUSE GOD IS trustworthy.