Deut. 2, 3 [The Message]

God instructed the Children of Israel to subdue the Promised Land. Although there were considerable obstacles and resistance, He instructed them to have NO FEAR. Fear itself is an obstacle. It prevents us from giving our best.

The biggest battles are often in our minds. David, the Psalmist, was a warrior. Before entering a skirmish, he would always spend time praising the Lord. Trust in God flushed out the fear. He said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” [Ps. 56:3]

When I was a young music minister, I would put together large presentations at Christmas and Easter for our church to perform. My planning and preparation workload would often overwhelm me to the extent that I would wake up in the middle of the night with fearful sweats. Ps. 56:3 became my antidote for the crippling fear episodes at night. After putting my trust in the Lord and committing my ways to Him, I could lay back down and rest.

That’s a good verse to memorize!