“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere people do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
Lord Jesus, these words from King David are so ironic (tongue-in-cheek) they are irenic (peace-giving). What can “mere people” do to us? Uhm… well, they can kill us. They can reject, abuse, betray, fail, and slander us. They can “mess” with us—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. So, if David wasn’t delusional, what is he telling us about knowing and trusting you?
His words are echoed and clarified in Paul’s heart-free declarations. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). “Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). Paul’s freedom is alluring, a bit confusing, and convicting.
Jesus, help me, and help my praying friends. May knowing and serving you control our “heart-rheostat.” Turn up the dial on our satisfaction in you, Jesus—our experience of your beauty, goodness, sovereignty, worthiness, nearness, and love. And turn down the dial on the defining—even debilitating power, people have over our hearts.
This won’t make us hard-hearted, but heart-liberated—actually kinder, more empathic, and loving. We won’t be careless, but we will care less about what people think of us—even the people closest to us.
Jesus, you don’t intend to make us impervious to sadness, loss, and pain. But you do intend to make these in-a-fallen-world realities less defining and less ultimate. Be bigger and more beautiful to us than ever, Jesus. So Very Amen.