What Can Man Do?

What Can Man Do?

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:5-6 (KJV)

No matter how distressing the situation is: when we call upon the Lord, He hears and answers us. Even if everyone we know turns against us, if God is with us, we need not fear.

The Hebrew word, metsar, the word used for distress, also means, pains or straits. This is dealing with emotions, physical and situational conditions. No matter how restrictive our condition, the Lord answers with an action that places us in "a large place" [ merchab], a broad or roomy place or wide, expanses. He will never let us remain shut in, boxed or walled in.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:6 (KJV)

When life is met with difficulty and people become apparent enemies, we are to guard against fear; in fact, we are to rise in faith empowered by love. When we are "in Jesus Christ" we operate in "faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6 KJV).

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (KJV)

God, Who is perfect love, "is on my side." When we accept this great truth and are perfected in love, we begin to speak what He says rather than what the situation, feelings or people may be saying.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (KJV)

Go ahead. Say it, "I will not fear" because "the Lord is on my side." Now say it again. How about once again? Now faith is coming because, ". . . faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.10:17 KJV).