Fear of Tomorrow - Praying the Psalms

Fear of Tomorrow - Praying the Psalms

Finding Truth and Family in Fellowship

Matthew Vander Els, pastor of Founded in Truth Fellowship, opens this message by welcoming listeners to a community that values truth and love, a place for worship and belonging. The central theme of this teaching is how to navigate fear and anxiety by looking to the scriptures, specifically the Book of Psalms, as a guide for prayer. While acknowledging current events and worldly concerns that may trigger fear, the message emphasizes that the principles found in the Psalms offer a more profound and lasting approach to dealing with these emotions, rather than just addressing isolated incidents.

The Universal Experience of Crisis and the Question of Prayer

Throughout history, every civilization and generation has faced times of crisis and lament. On an individual level, these challenges might manifest as sickness, financial stress, job loss, or concerns for loved ones. In such times, believers often turn to prayer. However, the question arises: how should we pray? Is there a framework or a template that can guide our communication with God during these difficult moments? Historically, within the Jewish tradition and early Christianity, scripted prayers were common. While some modern Christian traditions criticize this as potentially stifling the Holy Spirit, the reality is that most people learn to pray by observing or hearing others.

The Book of Psalms: A Raw and Authentic Collection

The Book of Psalms is presented as a vast collection of poems, songs, and prayers compiled over many generations, eventually finding its place in the Hebrew Bible. This collection offers a genuine and unfiltered look into how people of faith throughout history approached God in various circumstances, including joy, prosperity, worship, but also death, fear, anxiety, and chaos. Reading the Psalms can be a powerful experience because of their raw emotional honesty. Some Psalms, like Psalm 137, even contain expressions of intense pain and anger, reflecting the very human struggle to reconcile life's difficulties with faith in God. The context of Psalm 137, written during the Babylonian exile, highlights the deep suffering and desire for justice felt by the authors. It's crucial to understand that while the Psalms record these intense emotions, they do not necessarily endorse the actions or desires expressed within them. Instead, they invite us into the emotional landscape of those who came before us in faith.

Psalms as a Connector to Human Experience

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann, in his book "Praying the Psalms," suggests that the Psalms, with few exceptions, are not the voice of God speaking to us, but rather the collective voice of humanity across time, grappling with enduring human issues and possibilities. When we engage with the Psalms, we join this ongoing human conversation, expressing our own joys and anguishes alongside those who have come before us. The Psalms stand in contrast to the books of Torah, where God primarily speaks to humanity through commands and expectations. Instead, the Psalms represent the human experience of trying to live out those divine words in a flawed and challenging world. This can often be a messy process, and the Psalms reveal that God is not only capable of handling this messiness but also welcomes our raw and honest expressions. By bringing our deepest fears, angers, and vulnerabilities to God in prayer, we allow Him to become the source of healing and comfort He has promised to be. God is not unfamiliar with our fears, anxieties, worries, and doubts, just as He is present in our moments of joy and gratitude.

Understanding Fear and Anxiety

In contemporary society, fear is a pervasive topic, often amplified by social media. However, it's important to distinguish between fear and anxiety. Fear, in its basic form, is a healthy and God-given human function that helps us avoid danger and prevent foolish actions. It is often linked to the fight or flight mechanism, providing heightened alertness and focus in the face of immediate threats. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a more persistent and nagging form of fear that doesn't always require a direct trigger. While a managed level of anxiety can even be a motivator for productivity, unchecked anxiety can lead to panic attacks. The teaching emphasizes that God understands both fear and anxiety and provides a way to process these emotions through prayer, using the Psalms as a guide.

Psalm 3: A Model for Prayer in Times of Fear and Anxiety

Psalm 3 is presented as a powerful example of a "Psalm of lament," where the author cries out to God in distress. This particular Psalm offers a template for how believers can approach God when facing circumstances that cause doubt, anxiety, and fear. The Psalm begins with the superscription, "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son." This historical context is crucial for understanding the raw emotions expressed in the Psalm. King David, typically envisioned as a mighty warrior and king, was in a vulnerable and terrifying situation, fleeing for his life from his own son's rebellion and facing thousands of pursuing soldiers. This scenario of betrayal and threat provides a backdrop for David's prayer, making it relatable even to those who haven't faced such extreme circumstances. The Psalm serves as a model for how to engage God in different seasons of life.

Three Segments of Prayer in Psalm 3

The prayer in Psalm 3 can be broken down into three distinct segments:

• Identifying the source of fear: David begins by clearly stating what is causing his fear and anxiety: "Many are rising against me." He is not only facing physical danger but also the psychological and emotional weight of betrayal by his own family and the desertion of his people.
• Identifying God's role in contrast to this fear: In verses three and four, David shifts his focus from the source of his fear to the character and role of God: "But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." David uses three powerful metaphors to describe God: a shield, his glory, and the lifter of his head.
• Giving it over to God: The final segment of the prayer involves David handing his fears over to God with assurance and trust: "I lay down and slept and awoke again, for the Lord sustained me." Despite the multitude opposing him, David declares he will not be afraid because he knows the Lord sustains him.

Application for Everyday Life

• Identify Your Fears and Anxieties: Take time to recognize and name the specific sources of fear and anxiety in your life.
• Compare Your Fears to God's Character: Reflect on the attributes of God – His power, love, faithfulness, and justice – and contrast them with the things that are causing you fear.
• Pray Honestly and Emotionally: Follow the example of the psalmists by expressing your raw emotions to God without holding back.
• Trust in God's Sustaining Power: Remember that God has sustained His people throughout history and continues to do so today.
• Give Your Fears Over to God: Consciously release your anxieties and fears to God, trusting in His ability to handle them.
• Seek Community and Prayer Support: Connect with fellow believers and allow them to pray with and for you.
• Focus on God's Mission: When your focus is on God and His purposes, worldly fears and anxieties can lose their grip on your identity and value.

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References

• Psalm 137
• Psalm 3

Books and Resources Mentioned

• Praying the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann

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