Fear and Trust
Author: Troy Dennis (New Brunswick, Canada)
‘Trust me. Give it one more shot.’ My teacher was encouraging me to go to the second practice of our school’s jazz band.
During the first practice, he handed out music I thought was too hard. I was afraid to fail, to embarrass myself in front of the group. After a lot of coaxing, I agreed to try one more time.
The second practice was much better and I have continued to play the trumpet ever since. Playing in that band gave me confidence to do things I may never have considered. I’m glad I went—even though I was afraid.
My fear seems insignificant when compared with the fear the Israelite exiles felt as they returned to Jerusalem in the sixth century BC.
They had good reason to be afraid. Their ancestors had been taken as prisoners of war decades before, but this was no joyful homecoming.
The residents of the city were openly hostile to them, and the situation had become very tense.
In order to worship they would need to build an altar, risking bodily harm and perhaps death. This did not stop them, however.
They chose to worship God.
All of us experience fear of some kind. Yet the Israelites can inspire us to trust God. They were afraid, but they overcame their fear.
If they could trust God in the midst of great danger, we too can trust him.
Prayer: Dear God, many times we are afraid and don’t know what to do. Help us to trust you. Teach us to be like the Israelites and trust you despite our fears. Amen
