October 29, 2023 – “Be un-Afraid”
What keeps you up at night? Truth be told there are a lot of things we could put on that list – health concerns, financial struggles, relational problems, anxiety, worry, and fear. Fear is one of those powerful emotions that is hardwired into our brains from the beginning for our survival. We know there are healthy fears like don’t touch a hot burner on the stove. However, there are so many fears that we carry around that have no basis in reality. These fears – fear of the future, fear of others, fear of failure – can keep us bound up in a knot of anxiety and steal our peace of mind. What does the Bible have to say about fear? How did Jesus teach us to hold our fear in check? We will get a boost of courage and hope this week in worship through some practical and Biblical wisdom to help us to be un-afraid in uncertain times.
Psalm 27
Psalm 27
Triumphant Song of Confidence
Of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the Lord;
this I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off; do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will take me up.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!