"Afraid?"
Daniel Valles

READ Psalm 112:5-9

As we examine the world we live in, watch for His coming, take heed to the warning signs around us, and strive to live and walk for Him, we will, undoubtedly, come across news, events, or circumstances that are greatly troubling.  Hurricanes, earthquakes, wars, rumors of wars, etc.  All of them can be troubling to the heart.  Many Christians decide not watch and examine those signs specifically because they know that they are troubling.  However, David acknowledges that troubling and evil tidings will come (vs. 7).  The only difference between the upright man and the wicked man portrayed in this chapter, is that the upright man is not afraid of evil tidings.  David declares that his "heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."

When evil tidings come too close for comfort, knock on our doorstep, or parade across the news, the upright man is not terrified into a weak state.  Many in this world are terrified at what they see in the world.  Yes, it is frightening; but David states that the evil tidings will not control the upright man.  If we are striving to follow Christ whole-heartedly, come what may, our heart is fixed in the LORD.  When the billows roll, and the waves crash in, where is your anchor?  Is your anchor fixed in your church attendance, your pastor, your spouse, your job, your bank account?  If all of that was taken away right now, would your heart be moved?

As we strive to live godly, read and meditate on His Word, commune with Him throughout the day, our hearts and reliance is not resting on this corrupted world.  It is fixed on Him.  It is interesting that the idea of fixed can also include an action where you made preparations ahead of time, fastening and securing your anchor.  In the Christian life, we may be sailing on a bed of roses right now.  One day, your health may deteriorate, loss of a loved on, natural disasters, war, or other evil tidings will come into your life.  Are you working now to ensure that your heart will be in a fixed, established position in Christ when the winds start to howl?  If it has been a season since you have communed with Him, read His Word, meditated on Him, and lived for Him, then your heart is not fixed on Him.  Sure, you may know where to throw it when the hard times come, but our hearts should be fixed at the onset, before Satan has a chance to make us a shipwreck.

Undoubtedly, as the days grow darker, circumstances and tidings will test your moorings.  Are you fixed and established?  Are you trusting completely in our LORD?  Examine your trust.  Examine your moorings.  When the tempests blow, will your anchor hold?