Psalm 112:6-8 - For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
Last Sunday, Walt preached on Psalm 112. In verses 6-8, he pointed out that the heart that is godly is firm and steady - not because they always get good news - but because they know where to go and what to do with bad news. Notice that the godly still receives bad news. Bad things still happen. Hard news still comes their way. But the difference is that the godly are not afraid. There is stability in spite of the circumstances. So, how is this possible? And how do we get a resilient heart like this?
The answer is in the “better facts.” Sure, bad news will come. Those facts will hit us over and over again - the child that strays from the faith, the job loss, the bad medical report…etc. But when the bad news comes, the godly trust in the LORD. He has proven himself over and over again. He is trustworthy. The way to fight our fears is to remember the “better facts” of what it means to belong to this God. The one who did not spare his own son is not going to nickel and dime us in the moment of crisis. We can be comforted that the one who loved us to death has all things in his hands and he promised he would never leave us or forsake us.
So, when the bad news comes, remember these “better facts” so that you can go to battle against fear and steady your heart in the LORD:
Isa 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.
Isa 26:3 ESV - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Deu 31:8 ESV - It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Jhn 16:33 ESV - I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Psa 32:8 ESV - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psa 37:23-24 ESV - The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Mat 11:28-29 ESV - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
2Co 12:9-10 ESV - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Isa 40:31 ESV - but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Phl 4:6-7 ESV - do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jas 1:2-3 ESV - Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Isa 41:13 ESV - For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."
Jos 1:9 ESV - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Phl 4:19 ESV - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Psa 23:4 ESV - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 27:1 ESV - Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psa 9:9-10 ESV - The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psa 103:2-5 ESV - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Rom 8:28, 35, 37-39 ESV - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.