I had an interesting experience today as I ministered to a man who had just had heart surgery. As I visited him in the ICU he began to share some things with me that he had seen on the news that had upset him. As he spoke of these things I noticed on the monitor that his blood pressure began to rise. The monitor began to beep as his blood pressure rose. I shared some scriptures that brought him peace and as I shared the scriptures his blood pressure began to drop.

A few minutes later he began to relate to me another thing he had seen on t.v. that had upset him. Once again his blood pressure began to rise, but then he shared how the Lord had helped him deal with what he had seen. As he shared about the goodness of God, his blood pressure began to drop once again.

Right there in the ICU the Lord brought this scripture to my remembrance.

David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine… (1 Samuel 17:32, Amplified)

David was speaking here of Goliath who had come out for forty days and had intimidated the armies of Israel with his threats and taunts. It says in verse eleven that “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (KJV).

The news today is full of words that could cause a person to be dismayed and greatly afraid. However, just like David, we don’t have to be afraid. Just like David our hearts don’t have to fail us and we can help others who find themselves dismayed and greatly afraid.

What did David know that gave him such confidence when others feared?

He knew he had a covenant with God and that God was on his side (1 Samuel 17:26, David refers to this ‘uncircumcised’ Philistine; circumcision was the sign of the covenant).

The name David means ‘Beloved’. He knew he was loved. Perfected love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Also God’s covenant is based on hesed which is His unfailing love and David knew this (Psalm 23:6, Amplified – “Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life…”; the words unfailing love in that translation come from the Hebrew word hesed which was simply translated mercy in the King James).

He knew God. He had a relationship with Him from all his time of fellowship with God as he tended the sheep in the fields and from his love and knowledge of God’s Word.

I shared these things with that man in ICU and his blood pressure continued to drop as he heard these truths. I also shared these two scriptures with him.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7, KJV)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV)

We too have a covenant with God through Jesus (Hebrews 8:6). We too are loved of God (1 John 4:19). We too now have fellowship with him by His Spirit and His Word (1 John 1:3). We too can have confidence and fear not!

And one last scripture to keep in mind.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine… (Proverbs 17:22, KJV)

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22, Amplified)

🙂