Psalm 112:1,7: "Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands . . . . He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."
Here we find that the man who fears and delights in the LORD (i.e. has reverential awe of the LORD and yet enjoys intimacy with HIM) will not fear bad news that befalls him. Why? Because he is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His hope and desire are in the Lord, no matter what painful trials come his way.
This does not mean that he enjoys the bad news; in fact, he will likely agonize through the painful experience. Still he is able to endure through the power of the Holy Spirit. The strength of the Lord sustains him, irrespective of the severity of the trial in his life.
David demonstrated such resolve when his life was threatened by those who were determined to kill him with "the sword." As David was moving from place to place to stay one step ahead of his pursuers, he cried out the following Psalm (22:2,3,22-23a):
"O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night and am not silent. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel . . . . I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise Him!"
Despite David's perception that God wasn't answering his pleas in his time of trouble, still he was assured that God was still on the throne and thus in control. David was able to gain strength in this assurance and praised the Lord by faith. A life so transformed by the Lord is able to be renewed in times of difficulty and know that God is worthy of praise, irrespective of circumstances.
As painful as the trials of life are, they reveal the true person within us. Our reactions to difficult circumstances teach us if we trust the Lord in faith. When we remain in an intimate relationship with the Lord, we will find His strength to be steadfast during the turbulent times, and we will not fear what may come our way, for our strength is in the Lord!
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