I Am Not Afraid

 

 

Today's guest post is written by Rev. Rachel Reid.  Rev. Reid is a chaplain resident in Rochester, New York.

Scripture

Psalm 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.

1 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying to me, “There is no help for you[a] in God.” Selah

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4 I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. 6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people! Selah  (NRSV)

Devotion

It seems like David has been running away for a long time. He ran away from Saul (1 Samuel 19-27), and now as a great king, he seems to be running away from his own son,Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19).  While David has run from jealous adversaries before, I imagine this time feels different. His own son questioned and threatened him, slaying thousands in his path. I imagine David feels torn between concern for Absalom’s wellbeing (cf. 2 Sam. 18:5) and fear for his own safety; between sadness and anger for this deception and destruction. It seems only natural that we traditionally ascribe Psalm 3 to David during this time running from Absalom.

In the beginning of the Psalm, David is crying out to God. Many enemies surround me, O God, and they’re all telling me that you won’t help me. David doubts, as those around him say that not even God can help him against this massive army. And then, things change in verse 3: but you, O Adonai, are a shield around me. Everything is stacked against King David, and he has the faith to say, “but, God!” In these short verses, David proclaims that God will:

• Lift up David’s head (3:3)
• David all around (3:3)
• Answer David’s call (3:4)
• Sustain David through the night (3:5)
• Strike all David’s enemies…David literally compares his enemies to rabid beasts whose teeth and jaws will be broken by the hand of God (3:7)
• Deliver David (3:8)
• Bless God’s people (3:8)

David anticipates all this to be a promise from God. Though everyone has deceived and betrayed him, even his own son, David trusts God to deliver him from his enemies.

We have been going through a uniquely difficult time in our lives. People are divided over political and ethical issues, the pandemic continues to rage and destroy lives, and our planet is in dire condition. From the earthquakes in Haiti to the flooding in Tennessee; from the conflict in Afghanistan to the conflict in our schools as children and teachers are exposed to the COVID-19 virus. How many are our enemies, O God! While we know that calling on God is not a resolution for inaction on our part, we also faithfully declare with David that “deliverance belongs to Adonai.” We cannot carry the weight of the world. I’m sure some of us have tried. We want to change things, save people, do our part…and yet, we still find ourselves surrounded by insurmountable and heartbreaking challenges.

But, God! Adonai hears us when we cry out. God does not promise that we will be kept from harm, but God does promise to hear us and answer when we call. Although we continue to face enemies of every kind, we can face them and declare “I am not afraid!” For the Lord our God will:

• Lift up your head
• Shield you all around
• Answer when you call
• Sustain you through the night
• Strike down your enemies
• Deliver you
• and Bless your people

 

 

Prayer

Hear our cries, O Lord. Your creation groans in pain, as in the pain of childbirth. Shield us from the enemies we face in our daily lives. Give us the boldness to face it all, crying from behind Your protective shield, “I am not afraid!” Deliver us from these troubled days. Strengthen us to respond to Your call and listen for Your will. Amen.