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A Chicago pastor leads a church located in gang territory. He spends a lot of time trying to reduce crime in his area, and because of it, gangs often threaten his life. A radio host asked him recently how he coped with these threats. He said that each day he spends time in prayer and devotion to God. He believes God will protect him, but even if he should die, he will die doing the will of God. He says his time with God makes him fearless. In many respects, he is like David of old. As king, David had many enemies, but his faith in the Lord enabled him to cope in the midst of trouble. We read in Psalm 27, “The LORD is my light and my salvation —so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’S perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles comes.” Not everyone has the kind of confidence in the Lord that David and the pastor has, but it is an aspiration we might all seek to attain.
