What does confession have to do with how I manage my fears? A lot, actually. I grew up thinking the biblical word confession had to do with asking God to forgive me of my sins. There’s an element of truth there, but the biblical idea of confession is much deeper than that, and it carries with it some liberating realities.
To confess simply means to “agree with” or to “say the same thing.” When we confess our sins, we’re telling God what He already knows—that we’re deeply broken and unable to fix ourselves—that we have violated the righteous character of a holy God. When I confess that Jesus is Lord, I agree that he has perfect rulership over the universe and that he has that same sovereign power over my life. Both of these confessions are necessary to experience salvation.
However, I want us to think about this idea of confession in a broader sense. Psalm 27 gives us insight into how King David dealt with his fears while fleeing from Jerusalem when his son, Absalom was trying to take his life. He starts by reminding himself of God’s good character, but he quickly talks to God about himself. He isn’t telling God anything the all-knowing Master of the universe doesn’t already know. He’s just agreeing with God. After all, we’re never more correct than when we’re agreeing with God.
Let’s look at some of the things David says to the Lord, and keep in mind that God knows these things are true. David knows that because of God’s character, he will triumph over his enemies. His head will be lifted up while theirs are brought down in shame. He proclaims that he will not fear—not because he is courageous but because God is with him.
My favorite parts of this psalm are found in verses 4 and 13. In verse 4, David says, “One thing have I asked of the Lord…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life….” In essence, David is telling God what he wants the most. While he clearly wants to be restored to his rightful place on the throne, his greater desire is to be where God’s presence dwells. In verse 13, he declares his confidence that this is going to happen. His confidence isn’t in his abilities. His trust is in God’s perfect promise.
Are you facing challenges today? Are you prone to fear in the face of these overwhelming obstacles? If so, take your eyes off your circumstances and place them on God. You don’t need to agree with the enemy about your problems. Agree with God that he will be with you through them and bring you out victorious on the other side.
