Devotion of the Day
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice!
In the morning, I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch!
My mouth is filled with Your praise,
And with Your glory all the day!
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall declare Your praise!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Verse
Psalm 56:3–4 (ESV) — “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Meditation
The Psalmist does not deny fear but locates its answer in trust. Fear arises from real threats, yet it does not have the final word. Instead, it becomes the occasion for turning toward God. Trust is not drawn from circumstance, but from the character of God and the reliability of His word. By praising that word, the Psalmist anchors his heart in what is fixed rather than what is shifting. The question, “What can flesh do to me?” does not dismiss suffering, but places it within proper limits. Human power is real but bounded; God’s authority is absolute and enduring. Thus fear is answered not by denial, but by reordering the heart toward God’s promises. In Christ, this trust is fulfilled, for God’s Word has taken flesh and secured victory over all that threatens. Therefore, even in fear, the faithful rest in the unchanging faithfulness of God.
New Testament
Romans 8:31 (ESV) — “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
As the Psalmist says, “What can flesh do to me?” This is fulfilled in the apostolic proclamation that no opposition can stand against God’s purpose. This reflects the same confidence grounded in God’s sovereign power.
Old Testament
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) — “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
This reinforces the Psalmist’s movement from fear to trust. The command not to fear rests on God’s presence and sustaining power. This shows the continuity of God’s promise to uphold His people in every threat.
Collect
O Lord God, whose word is sure and whose power overcomes all fear, grant that Your people may trust in You in every trial; strengthen their hearts to rest in Your promises, that they may stand firm in faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn Verse
A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
TLH 262, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
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