Talking To God

Read Psalm 56:1-13

Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me; my enemies trample on me all day long. for many fight against me. O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:1-4 (NRSV)

When Linda Coggin, from British Columbia, Canada, was young and alone in her dark bedroom at night, she would imagine the frightening scenes from her dreams like a movie playing out on her closet door. She would repeat Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you," until she fell asleep. Linda didn't know what it meant to trust God, but forn her it was enough to take refuge in those words.

Over 50 years later, Linda has expanded her list of scriptures that reassure her of God's presence and provision. But the truth is that she still sometimes wakes up in the dark fearing the "what ifs." And when she does, Linda prays the same verse she memorized as a child.

The psalmist teaches us that rust is the antidote to fear. When Linda trusts in God, she doesn't have to figure things out, solve those what-ifs, or know the unknowns. Linda doesn't know how things will turn out. But when she trusts. Linda can rest in God's presence, even if it is just for a few minutes at a time. Linda doesn't have to be afraid because God is always near.

Prayer: Dear God, when we are afraid, we can rest in your presence and know that you will always be with us, in Jesus' name. Amen.