Fear of the Enemy

Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Psalm 64:1

In this psalm, David petitions God to preserve his life from “fear of the enemy.” He is not asking for preservation from the enemy but from “fear of the enemy.” Fear is a devastating and destructive element.

Men call themselves terrorists because their chief goal is not to destroy so much as to terrorize. Men rule by fear.

Fear has the ability to disrupt sleep, cause constant anxiety, create health problems, change dispositions, ruin friendships, debilitate strength, and wreak havoc.

Horrid circumstances are not necessary to bring about chaos; fear of horrid circumstances can have a greater effect.

As a soldier, David knew the devastation of fear. Therefore, he asked God to “preserve,” or keep him from fear of the enemy.

In God’s economy there is no room for fear. It keeps us from trusting God, puts us in self-preservation mode, and thwarts our obedience. John the apostle said, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Believers would do well to pray as David did, Lord, preserve me from fear of the enemy.