{ Day 280 }

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. … For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion. … And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me. … Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! … When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” —Psalm 27:4-8, NKJV

What is the path to overcoming great fear in the end times? The examples of Jesus and David make it clear: they overcame fear by seeking God’s face in intimacy. They gazed upon the heart of God, encountering His beauty. The trouble David talked about was manifold, but mainly it was the trouble of people seeking to harm him. It is awful to walk around with that sinking feeling in your stomach because somebody at work, church, your neighborhood, or school is out to get you. You want to repair the situation, but often you can’t, so you learn to live with the reality of having an enemy, as David did. He practically walked around with a big target on him from the day Saul rejected him. But he proclaimed that God would hide him in His shelter. His words shine a big light on the answer of how to carry our hearts in the hour of persecution and great trouble that comes from evil people.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Father, keep me from the fear of what others might say or do to me. Keep me from feeling the sting of rejection and hatred from others. When evildoers threaten to destroy me, let me overcome their evil by living in the security of Your love.

The Lord will anoint us with answers
to comfort fainting or failing hearts.