“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” — Psalm 56:4
“Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.” — Isaiah 31:3
David declares a bold confidence: “I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Why? Because his trust is anchored in God and in His Word. Isaiah warns Israel not to lean on Egypt for military help. Egypt had horses, chariots, and visible strength — but they were only men… and not God. Flesh looks impressive. Spirit is invincible.
The principle is simple: Trusting flesh brings fear. Trusting God brings courage. When we lean on human strength — money, influence, connections, physical ability — we inherit their weakness. But when we lean on God, we stand on eternal power.
Illustration #1 — King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18–19)
When Assyria surrounded Jerusalem, the Rabshakeh mocked and threatened. Fear spread among the people. The enemy looked unstoppable. But Hezekiah did not run to Egypt. He went to the house of the Lord and spread the threatening letter before God (2 Kings 19:14). That night, the Lord smote 185,000 Assyrians. The difference? Assyria trusted flesh and numbers. Hezekiah trusted the Spirit and the Word of the Lord.
Illustration #2 — Peter and John (Acts 4–5)
After preaching Christ, Peter and John were threatened by the religious authorities. They were commanded not to speak in Jesus’ name. Their answer echoes Psalm 56:4: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29). They did not fear what flesh could do. The Sanhedrin had power, but it was human power. The apostles leaned on the risen Christ and the Holy Ghost. Human authority threatened them. Divine authority empowered them.
Don’t lean on “Egypt” — visible strength without God.
Don’t fear “flesh” — its power is temporary.
Praise His Word — that’s where courage is born.
In Moldova, in ministry, in family burdens, in financial uncertainty — flesh will always look bigger than faith. But flesh is “men… and not God.” When the Lord stretches out His hand, flesh fails. Put your trust in God. Praise His Word. Fear no flesh. Trust over flesh. Every time.