And David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior. (I Samuel 22:1-3 ESV)
Fear not… then Praise!
David was getting old. His most loyal friends finally told him he was not welcome out on the battlefield, where his life was at risk. He listened to them, and then the Biblical narrative (I Samuel 22:18-22) describes the success of Israel against her remaining enemies.
This story potentially has fear woven through it. Were the friends afraid of the loss of the mighty King David? Was David afraid that he was no longer necessary? Was Israel afraid of the last of Goliath’s kin, the giants?
Yet the word, “fear” is not uttered in this tale. Perhaps fear was present, but we learn instead about what happened after fear had left. Obviously, the Israelites were successful, despite any fear they felt. David was protected, Israel was safe, the Israelite army was victorious. But David does something that he actually did throughout his life… regardless of fear… in the absence of fear… or after fear was gone.
He praised his God.
It is more than simply having a grateful heart or proclaiming eloquent thanks for God’s actions. David, after fear and fear’s threat profoundly poems, “GOD IS AMAZING!” As David realizes that God has protected both David AND Israel, David’s focus becomes on God Himself. David does not focus on the events that might have caused fear. David focused on the God who removes all reason for fear.
Giving thanks is a good thing, of course… but praising God is better. Thanksgiving focuses on what God has done for us, praise focuses on the One True Living God. Thanksgiving focuses on our peace, satisfaction, and blessings, praise focuses on the One True Living God. Thanksgiving focuses on our experienced results, praise focuses on the One True Living God.
God enables us to fear not.
Now what? Praise Him!