A Calming Presence

Psalm 118:6

Watch on YouTube – Watch on Facebook

Dad! I’m scared!

I don’t know how many times my wife and I have been woken up in the middle of the night. One of the kids has a bad dream and they cry out for one of us. If I’m honest, I’m actually glad sometimes when they call out for mom instead of dad. But we get up and we go in and if they’re really upset we’ll cuddle them and say hey, it’s OK it’s just a dream. But if they’re really upset sometimes I have to lie with them on the bed. Just my presence is enough to calm them.

Why do children think that way? Why do they behave that way? If there were really monsters under the bed, what could I do? But children trust that parents are going to protect them. Going to care for them. Gonna make everything be OK.

We can have that same attitude toward God. In Psalm 118 it says,

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. (Psalm 118:6)

You may not be afraid of monsters under the bed, but I dare say there are some things you are afraid of. That verdict from the court. The prognosis from the doctor. Fear about the future. Your finances. We’re all afraid of something. But we can have a confidence. A confidence because God is with us. And just like children expect their parents to protect them and care for them to make everything all right, we can think that of God too. He will use his almighty power for our good.

God has protected us especially with regards to sin. He has taken away our guilt so that we don’t have to fear what the future holds for us. Because of Jesus we know that everything will be ok. Life may not work out exactly how we want it to, but as long as we make it to heaven it’s all good.

So don’t be afraid. The Lord is with you. He loves you and he promises to use his almighty power to protect you and make everything OK. May his peace be with you, amen.