Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?

  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the Lord; one thing I seek;

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek God in the temple.

For in the day of trouble God will give me shelter,

  hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high upon a rock.

Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies who surround me.

Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice, O Lord, | when I call;

  have mercy on me and answer me.

My heart speaks your message—“Seek my face.”

Your face, O Lord, I will seek.

Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your servant in anger.

  Cast me not away—you have been my helper; forsake me not, O God of my salvation. ~ Psalm 27:1, 4-9

Since 2020, with the advent of COVID, as well as other political and global factors, 62% of Americans have cited an increase in feelings of anxiety.

The history of the Christian church isn't that great in terms of dealing with depression and anxiety. There was a time when it was seen as a moral failing. Maybe sometimes that it still the case.

I mean, doesn't God always say in scripture, "Do not be afraid?"

I don't see any condemnation from the Psalmist here about fear. Instead, what I see is a reminder of the ground beneath our feet.

There is no promise that there won't be scary things.

And there is no chastisement for when we are anxious.

Instead there is comfort. A reminder that you don't have to be afraid. A reminder that God is in charge. That we will not be forsaken.

That the dark and scary things and people in our lives don't have the last word.

Be my rock and my stronghold, O God! Amen