0345. FEAR AND TRUST.

FEAR AND TRUST.

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psa_56:3). It is a blessed fear that frightens us to God. Fear and trust are two very common feelings of the soul.

1. The object of trust. "I in Thee." This implies-

1. Knowledge. "Trust in Thee." Thee, the living God, who hath delivered mightily in times past. Thee, the eternal God revealed to us in Christ Jesus.

2. Confidence. "I will trust" or commit my case to Thee. This is the confidence that we have in Him.

3. Determination. "I will." There is no doubt or uncertainty here. I know whom I have believed.

2. The time of trust. "What time I am afraid." Blessed are all they who know God as a refuge for the fearful. Adam hid from God, David would hide in Him. Trust in Him when afraid of-

1. Guilt and wrath. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. He hath made peace by the blood of His Cross.

2. Indwelling sin. There is no hope of deliverance in our own strength or wisdom.

3. Weakness and failure. We are nothing but weakness, and of ourselves can do nothing but fail. When conscious of these, then is the time to trust. When I am weak, then am I strong.

4. Trials and temptations. These often look upon us with frightful countenance, and we instinctively dread the contact. A man shall be a hiding place from the storm and the tempest. Only believe.

5. Sickness and death. Death has shadows that are dark and dismal, but faith gains the victory. They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb. "He shall not be afraid; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."

Autor: James Smith