Morning Devotional 110123 Taming the "Monster Under the Bed"

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

November 1, 2023

Psalm 56:1-13

1 God, have mercy on me because I’m being trampled. All day long the enemy oppresses me. 2 My attackers trample me all day long because I have so many enemies. Exalted one, 3 whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you 4 in God, whose word I praise. I trust in God; I won’t be afraid. What can mere flesh do to me? 5 All day long they frustrate my pursuits; all their thoughts are evil against me. 6 They get together and set an ambush they are watching my steps, hoping for my death. 7 Don’t rescue them for any reason! In wrath bring down the people, God! 8 You yourself have kept track of my misery. Put my tears into your bottle aren’t they on your scroll already? 9 Then my enemies will retreat when I cry out. I know this because God is mine. 10 God: whose word I praise. The LORD: whose word I praise. 11 I trust in God; I won’t be afraid. What can anyone do to me? 12 I will fulfill my promises to you, God. I will present thanksgiving offerings to you 13 because you have saved my life from death, saved my feet from stumbling so that I can walk before God in the light of life.

Good Morning. I trust in God, and I won’t be afraid.

When we are children, we fear many things, and when we are scared, we run to find comfort in our parent’s arms. Remember those fears that presented themselves in the middle of the night? How often did we discover that the monster standing in the corner was our coat on the coat rack? What a difference turning on the light can make. Many of our fears were grounded in the unknown.

Now, we are adults, and we know that the “monster under the bed” isn’t there, but we still have fears. These fears are still grounded in the unknown. We can rationalize away those silly, childish fears, but what about those grown-up fears that cause us anxiety and stress?

Just as turning on the light worked when we were children, it can work for us now. The Apostle John tells us that life without Christ is darkness. Those who come to Christ are in the light, where those shadows and dark corners are visible. God, our parent, promises to be with us always. When we are fearful, God is waiting to comfort us and help us find peace.

Creator God, We love you! Thank you for being by our side to tame our fears. Help us trust in you fully. Thank you. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Trusting in God can calm my fears.

Whenever you’re afraid, put your trust in God! Pastor Liz