Pastor Stephen Dedman

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What fear do you need to surrender to the Lord today?

Context
Psalm 34 was written by David during a difficult and frightening season of his life. Surrounded by danger and uncertainty, David did not hide his fear from God. Instead, he sought the Lord. In the middle of trouble, he discovered that God was not distant or silent. God heard him and brought deliverance.

Application
Fear has a way of overwhelming our hearts and controlling our thoughts. We fear the unknown, fear failure, fear loss, and fear what tomorrow may bring. Yet David reminds us that the answer to fear is not found in our own strength but in seeking the Lord. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, He replaces panic with peace and anxiety with confidence in His care.

God may not always remove every difficult circumstance immediately, but He promises His presence in the middle of them. The Lord hears every cry, sees every burden, and walks with us through every valley. When our eyes stay fixed on Him, fear loses its grip.

Truth For The Day
Seeking God in your fear will lead you to His peace and strength.

Pray
Lord, thank You for hearing me when I call on You. Help me to bring every fear and burden into Your presence. Fill my heart with peace and remind me that You are greater than anything I face. Teach me to trust You fully each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What burden do you need to place in God’s hands today?

Context
The psalmist does not say trouble might come. Trouble is part of living in a broken world. Yet the comfort is found in knowing that God remains our refuge in the middle of the storm. A refuge is a place of safety. When fear rises, when uncertainty surrounds you, and when your strength feels weak, you can run to Him. God does not grow tired, and His power never fades.

Application
Life has a way of draining us. Responsibilities pile up, unexpected problems arise, and sometimes the weight of it all can leave us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. In those moments, it is easy to believe we must carry everything on our own. But Psalm 46 reminds us that God is not distant during our struggles. He is present, available, and strong enough to sustain us.

Sometimes God calms the storm around us, and sometimes He strengthens us while we walk through it. Either way, His presence is enough. Today, instead of focusing on what is against you, focus on the One who stands with you.

Truth For The Day
God is your strength when your own strength runs out.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Help me trust You in every situation and remind me that I never face life alone. Fill my heart with peace and give me strength for today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What area of your life is God asking you to trust Him with today?

Context
Faith is not pretending everything is fine. Faith is trusting God even when we cannot yet see the outcome. Hebrews 11 was written to believers facing hardship and uncertainty. They needed encouragement to keep walking with God when circumstances were difficult. The writer reminds them that faith is confidence in God’s promises, even before those promises are fulfilled.

Application
Many times we want visible proof before we move forward. We want answers before obedience. Yet faith often requires us to take the next step while trusting that God is already working ahead of us. Noah built an ark before rain ever fell. Abraham left home without knowing where he was going. Their faith was not based on comfort but on confidence in God.

The same is true for us today. Faith believes God is still present in the waiting, still faithful in the struggle, and still powerful when life feels uncertain. Even when prayers seem delayed, God has not forgotten you.

Truth For The Day
Faith grows when we choose to trust God more than our fears.

Pray
Lord, help me walk by faith and not by sight. Strengthen my heart when doubt and fear try to overwhelm me. Teach me to trust Your promises even when I cannot see the outcome. Thank You for always being faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.