What is your greatest fear? What is the one thing you dread more than any others? If you’re not sure then think of it like this. Is there something that keeps you up at night worrying about how to keep it from happening? Is there something that makes you willing to do anything to prevent it? Is it concerns about conflict with others, possible job or income loss, personal or family safety, or physical health, just to name a few broad categories?

Okay, have you isolated your single biggest fear? Then consider the possibility you have just identified your god. If you will do anything (practically no limitations) to make people like you, then they have become your god. If you will do anything to keep your job, then it (or whatever it represents to you) is your god. The same goes for personal safety and physical health. Whichever one controls and dictates your behavior is your god. As the preacher at West End church of Christ, Erik Borlaug, recently said in a sermon, “Whatever your fear the most identifies your god.”

Of course, as today’s Saturdays in the Psalms post turns to Psalm 27, we will learn the concept isn’t new to anyone today. Notice how David began this beautiful song.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” Psalm 27:1
He went on to add:

“When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” Psalm 27:2-3

What is implied in this song, though never stated explicitly, is that David’s greatest fear is separation from God. He makes it clear human enemies do not scare him. The attacks and worries of this world were not his biggest fears. Why? Well, simply this, because his God is the Lord. If this world was his biggest fear their attacks would worry him and cause him to lose trust in God.

It’s the same for believers today. When our biggest fear is separation from the Lord we will do anything to please Him, including trust Him to save us from anything else that frightens us. We can handle conflicts with people, job or income losses, and threats to our body and health, because we know they are temporary and our God is eternal. Is He your God?