Trust God - Ahimelech

David went to the town of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he saw him. “Why are you alone?” he asked. “Why is no one with you?” “The king has sent me on a private matter,” David said.

1 Samuel 21:1-2

Confederate general Stonewall Jackson was known for his extraordinary courage under fire. After one particularly fierce battle, one of his officers asked him how he remained so calm amid the horrors of war. Jackson replied, “Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me.”

The Bible teaches that we can overcome our fear of what men can do to us by clinging to our faith and remembering that God superintends everything that comes our way.

Sadly, even David, one of the Bible’s true heroes of the faith, once forgot that. David was on the run from King Saul when he met Ahimelech, a high priest in a place called Nob. When the priest asked him why he was alone, David told him, “The king has sent me on a private matter.”

The Bible describes David as a man of great courage, conviction, and faith. Though he did something positive in his time of need by approaching the house of God, he did grievous wrong in lying to the high priest. It’s not hard to figure out why David lied to Ahimelech. Simply put, at that point in his life, David feared Saul, who wanted him dead, more than he trusted God, who had already anointed him as the future king of Israel.

When you find yourself in a situation where you fear men, do you focus on the fear or trust in the God who already has your future mapped out?

When you focus on God’s absolute ability and willingness to bring about his plans for your life, your fear of other people will melt away.