Psalm 118:6

Psalm 118:6

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid

In Psalm 56:4 we read, “In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” It’s somehow written into the human psyche that we will trust in ourselves quite happily until something happens that is out of our control, or we are so outnumbered and overwhelmed that we automatically cry out for help. At such times, we recognise our dependency and also that we need the help and protection of One who is far more powerful and able than we are! This is a confession in the face of fear. It is at such times that we remember God’s promises that He will come to our aid when we appeal to Him. It is only then that we remember the words of Isaiah, “do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

In this context the use of the word “mortals” simply means human flesh. In other words, what can any living, breathing, ordinary, individual human being do to me? How feeble humans are, when compared to the immense and superior power of God. The Apostle Paul had similar thoughts when he wrote these amazing words in Romans. 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39.

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