Trade Your Fears for Faith

A. The Psalmist David struggled with fears. He was surrounded by enemies and difficult situations. Many of us can identify with him.

B. Fear is the enemy of faith. Fear robs us of the best in life. Trusting God trades faith for fear, bringing peace. Let’s learn how we can...

Face Fearful Prospects (vv. 1-2)

Psalm 56:1–2 NKJV

1 Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me. 2 My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

1. The psalmist face his fears. People wanted to destroy him. We know the Bible teaches us Satan wants to destroy us. He will often use people in our lives to accomplish his plan.

a. It seems fear oppressed him continually.

2. We’ve all experienced fear’s oppression.

a. Oppression comes because of financial fears.

b. Oppression comes because of people we fear.

c. Oppression comes because we fear the future.

3. What is your most oppressive fear?

4. What are you doing to overcome it? Here’s the way...

Fight Fear with Faith (v. 3)

Psalm 56:3 NKJV

3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

1. Faith and fear are opposites. David says “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

a. Faith’s courage arrives right on time.

b. When trust arrives, trembling flees.

2. “When faith is exercised fear is banished and holy triumph follows” (C. H. Spurgeon)

3. Where do we get this fear-fighting faith?

a. God’s Word… (Rom. 10:17)

Romans 10:17 NKJV

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

a. Saturate your mind with God’s Word, and faith will drive your fears away.

Faith Fixed on God Makes the Fear of Man Flee (v. 11)

Psalm 56:11 NKJV

11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

1. Most of our fears originate in distrust of people.

a. We worry about what they think of us.

b. We distrust their motives and fear their agendas.

2. True faith begins when we receive Christ as Savior. Rom. 5:1

Romans 5:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

3. The Holy Spirit then comforts us, expelling fears. John 14:26-27

John 14:26–27 NKJV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

4. The psalmist found he didn’t have to fear people.

a. His trust in God caused his fear of man to flee.

b. He discovered God was bigger than all his fears.

Conclusion:

A. Is this a fearful time for you?

B. Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18

1 John 4:18 NKJV

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

C. Respond in faith to God’s love and be free.