Wed., 8/26/15 Devotion (Ps. 34:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:4, where we read these words:

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

David's method (above) for dealing with fears is a great model for all believ-ers. Usually, our natural tendency when we are fearful is, instead of going to God with it, to allow it to harass us, and to wear us down. Fear is a powerful emotion; the only true antidote to it is the peace that only Christ can give.

And how do we attain to the experience of that peace? By seeking the Lord (see above). Once God has "heard" us, we have the assurance that our con-cern is laid to rest. The Holy Spirit communicates this to our hearts; and we can go on living confidently and courageously, in the grace and love of Christ—all by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man can praise God for what he has, God will give him more, and give him a better condition.” —William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]