October 30, 2025 • 12 mins
Text if you need me? Prayer or just need encouragement…
What if the safer choice is the one that slowly starves your calling? We follow David into 1 Samuel 21–22, where a single panic-driven lie cascades into heartbreak, and we hold that mirror up to modern life: money worries, career pivots, student loans, and the quiet ways fear keeps us stuck. I open up about shelving a tidy side business, facing down the “you’re too late” script, and choosing the vulnerable path that actually aligns with the gifts God has made obvious over time.
Together, we trace the anatomy of fear: how urgency silences prayer, how control masquerades as wisdom, and how survival mode can feel righteous while robbing us of obedience. Then we map the other road. We talk about practical faith—praying before planning, naming concrete next steps, and acting on gentle confirmations that often arrive through mentors, friends, and surprising conversations.
If you’re weighing a leap, this conversation offers clear takeaways: fear feels safer, but faith unlocks provision already waiting down the path. Expect thoughtful scripture insight, real-world examples about debt and credentials, and a prayer to ground your courage. If this spoke to you, subscribe for weekly devotionals, share it with someone who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show. What step of faith will you take this week?
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Podcast Music by: prazkhanal
Song: Whip
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Hello, hello.
You're listening to the JesseMorgan Devotions for the
Christian Heart Podcast, episode74.
This week's devotional is titledDavid and I chose Fear Over
Faith.
Let's go.
Hi, I'm Jesse Morgan.
I used to just share home decorand renovation tips on social
media, but now I'm sharingsomething even closer to my
(00:21):
heart.
My journey in love for JesusChrist, my Savior.
Welcome to the Jesse MorganDevotions for the Christian Hawk
Podcast.
This is a weekly devotional Istarted back in May 2024, but
the inspiration for it came muchearlier.
It was rooted in a faith journeythat began when my daughter was
born four months early in 2023.
Through that challenging time,God worked in ways that truly
(00:43):
amazed me.
On this podcast, I sharepersonal stories of faith woven
together with Scripture to showjust how incredible God's word
can be in our everyday lives.
My hope is that through thesestories, you'll be encouraged,
uplifted, and reminded of God'slove and presence, no matter
what you're going through.
So I invite you to spend lessthan 15 minutes with me each
(01:05):
week as we reflect on thesedevotionals together.
Let's all pray within.
David and I chose fear overfaith.
Key passages.
This week, woo! I wasstruggling.
(01:27):
I really was struggling to seehow this message or these
chapters really tied together.
But honestly, in just the lasthour, God gave me clarity.
And what he showed me actuallyconnects to a really personal
story of mine.
So here we go.
We're diving into 1 Samuelchapters 21 and 22.
(01:48):
We're continuing the story ofDavid, and which I call these
two chapters, David on the Run.
Last week we talked about thedeep relationship between David
and Jonathan.
You know, Jonathan being KingSaul's son, the heir to the
throne.
Um Jonathan yet was willing tosurrender that because he knew
(02:09):
God had chosen David to be nextking, to be the next king.
And of course, King Saulcouldn't handle that.
He was jealous, threatened, andfull of rage towards David, even
though David had done nothingwrong.
And at that point, we knowJonathan and David hugged,
embraced, and David went on therun.
So now we're in 1 Samuel 21:1,and um David arrives at Knop
(02:32):
terrified and running for hislife.
He meets Ahimelech, the priest,who is nervous when he sees
David alone and asks, Why areyou by yourself?
Instead of telling the truth,David lies, saying he's on a
secret mission for King Saul andneeds food and weapons.
You can almost hear the fearbehind his words, the kind of
(02:53):
panic that makes you saywhatever you have to say just to
get through that moment.
And Ahimelech believes him andgives him holy bread from the
table of the Lord, as mentionedin 1 Samuel 21.6.
And he also gives David thesword of Goliath, the same one
David used years earlier todefeat the giant, which is said
(03:14):
in 1 Samuel 21 9.
David thinks he's outsmarted thesituation, but what he doesn't
realize is that someone waswatching, Doeg of Ebonite, one
of Saul's officials.
Later in 1 Samuel 22 9 through19, Doeg reports everything to
Saul, twisting the story to makeit sound like Ahimelech helped
(03:37):
David betray the king.
And in his jealousy and rage,Saul accused Ahimelech of
treason.
Ahimelech pleads his innocence,which he was innocent, saying he
had no idea what was going on.
But Saul refused to listen.
And in that moment, Saul orderedDoag to kill not only Ahimelech,
but 85 priests, plus theirfamilies and the entire town of
(04:02):
Nob.
It's one of the darkest momentsin Saul's story, I feel.
A king consumed by fear andenvy.
And one man escapes, and it isum Abathar, which is Ahimelech's
son.
He runs to David around 1 Samuel22, 20, and he runs and he runs
to David and he tells him whathappened.
(04:24):
And when David hears this news,David's heart breaks.
He says in 1 Samuel 22, I knewthat day when Doag the Ammonite
was there, that he would surelytell Saul, I have caused the
death of all the persons of yourfather's house.
David takes full responsibilityand he's devastated, realizing
(04:45):
that this small little lie, themoment of fear instead of faith,
had devastating consequences.
And that's where the story lieswith me, because um I've had my
own Ahimelech moments, timeswhen fear made me act before I
prayed for the for the blessing.
(05:08):
Um, a few weeks ago, I mentionedthat I had been wrestling with a
side business I was planningwith my mom.
I was really diving into theside business because I wanted
to have extra income to supportmy family.
That was literally the reasonfor it.
And my mom got excited about it.
I f and I started to feel badbecause she got emotionally
invested.
(05:29):
But the more I thought aboutthis business, the more I
realized my heart was just wasjust not in it.
I had to be honest with myselfand with her, and it wasn't what
God was telling me to do.
That was hard because I love mymom and I know she was looking
forward to it.
But lately I've realized whattruly lights me up is home
renovations and interior design.
(05:50):
I absolutely love it.
And people that are close to meknow that.
And if I'm being real, I've beenscared.
I've been scared to step intothat world, to invest in it, to
make it more than just, youknow, social media.
Interior designers have degrees,certifications, high-end
(06:11):
clients, and honestly, sometimesthey come off as intimidating or
even unwelcoming, to be honest.
And as a 38-year-old mom, I'vehad those thoughts like, how can
I start now?
I can't go back to square one.
What if I fail?
What if I owe all this money inthe end?
My mom even said, just take outa business loan.
(06:33):
But that idea terrifies me.
The thought of debt, your creditbeing affected, all of that is
at risk and it's just unknown.
And then it really, you know,it's like it hit me.
My version of fear over faithisn't running from Saul or lying
to a priest, it's lettingfinances and comfort dictate my
(06:57):
my journey, my obedience.
It's saying, no, that's toorisky.
Instead of saying, God, if youcalled me, you'll make a way.
And that's my survival mode.
That's my David moment becausefear doesn't look like running
all the time, it can look likeyou just standing still.
(07:19):
It looks like you're settling.
But here's the thing God hasprovided so much for me this
year.
Our daughter just started schooland we prayed for that.
He's been faithful in ways Ican't even imagine.
Financially, even.
So why would I doubt him now?
I have to really sit back andthink about that.
(07:41):
Why now?
When I went to San Diego a fewmonths ago, uh about a month
ago, God surrounded me withconfirmation.
I met a man named Ash, one ofthe early pioneers in the tech
world who helped developtargeting algorithms.
And he even told me that youhave such strong people skills.
(08:03):
You should be leading andconnecting people.
Then the same week, I spent timewith a coworker who's also such
a strong mentor for me and afriend, and one of my best
friends, I had a longconversation with Chris Rogers.
None of them knew what I hadbeen praying about, but every
single one of them spoke wordsthat lined up perfectly.
(08:25):
It was like God was saying, Youalready know what I told you to
do.
Now trust me and go do it.
And maybe that's where you aretoday.
Maybe God's been nudging you totake a step of faith, to start
the thing, forgive the person,apply for the job, or simply
believe he can do what hepromised for you.
(08:46):
But fear keeps whispering, it'stoo risky, it's too risky.
Friend, whoever is listening,fear will always feel safer.
I'm gonna say that again.
Fear will always fear.
Fear will always feel safer.
But faith is where the miraclesand the blessings happen.
(09:12):
Don't let fear overpower yourfaith.
Let faith overpower your fear.
Don't be like David in thissituation, lying, pretending,
acting out of panic.
When God had already promised toprovide for him.
David forgot, just like we dosometimes for a moment, that he
was the chosen king of Israel.
(09:35):
And sometimes we forget thatwe're the chosen children of
God.
So whatever you're facing,financial pressure, uncertainty,
anxiety, or that dream you'veburied in the back, take it up
to God.
Pray this with me.
Lord, I'm scared, but I trustyou.
(09:56):
I know you'll provide.
I'm stepping out in faith.
I believe you'll meet me where Ineed to be.
You know, when you do that, yourealize God's hand was already
there making a way.
And remember, when we let feardominate faith, we are delaying
(10:18):
a blessing.
God already prepared.
But when we repent, reflect, andreturn to God like David did,
God still redeems all of it.
So ask yourself this week, areyou living with faith over fear?
Or fear over faith?
(10:41):
Because I promise, faith winsevery single time.
And Satan will hate it, but Godwill love it.
Love you all.
God bless.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you somuch for this amazing lesson of
us realizing that we can't getfar with fear.
(11:04):
And realizing that Satan wantsus to just grow up in fear so we
don't take those risks.
We don't, you know, have thatfaith to move forward in the
direction and the journey thatyou have already prepared for
us, Lord.
Father, we thank you so much foryour love, your compassion.
We thank you so much for sendingyour son here to die on the
(11:26):
cross for our sins, Lord.
And Father, thank you so muchfor everybody listening.
If anybody is going throughsomething and they need to
really put that fear aside,Lord, I just pray that they are
encouraged to put that fearaside and trust in you.
And when we trust in you, Lord,our faith will flourish, the
blessings will come, theunderstanding will come.
(11:48):
Father, we love you and wepraise you in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Love you all till next time.
We're going to continue David onthe run.
Well, that wraps up this week'sepisode.
My prayer is that thesedevotions bring you a little
closer to God each day.
If you felt encouraged, don'tkeep it to yourself.
Share this episode with a friendor loved one who could use the
(12:10):
same reminder.
Be sure to hit subscribe so younever miss a weekly message.
And if you like, leaving a kindreview means so much.
For more, check the show notesor connect with me on Instagram
or TikTok at JessieMorganFaith.
Until next time, this is JesseMorgan praying off.
Hello, hello.
You're listening to the JesseMorgan Devotions for the
Christian Heart Podcast, episode74.
This week's devotional is titledDavid and I chose Fear Over
Faith.
Let's go.
Hi, I'm Jesse Morgan.
I used to just share home decorand renovation tips on social
media, but now I'm sharingsomething even closer to my
(00:21):
heart.
My journey in love for JesusChrist, my Savior.
Welcome to the Jesse MorganDevotions for the Christian Hawk
Podcast.
This is a weekly devotional Istarted back in May 2024, but
the inspiration for it came muchearlier.
It was rooted in a faith journeythat began when my daughter was
born four months early in 2023.
Through that challenging time,God worked in ways that truly
(00:43):
amazed me.
On this podcast, I sharepersonal stories of faith woven
together with Scripture to showjust how incredible God's word
can be in our everyday lives.
My hope is that through thesestories, you'll be encouraged,
uplifted, and reminded of God'slove and presence, no matter
what you're going through.
So I invite you to spend lessthan 15 minutes with me each
(01:05):
week as we reflect on thesedevotionals together.
Let's all pray within.
David and I chose fear overfaith.
Key passages.
This week, woo! I wasstruggling.
(01:27):
I really was struggling to seehow this message or these
chapters really tied together.
But honestly, in just the lasthour, God gave me clarity.
And what he showed me actuallyconnects to a really personal
story of mine.
So here we go.
We're diving into 1 Samuelchapters 21 and 22.
(01:48):
We're continuing the story ofDavid, and which I call these
two chapters, David on the Run.
Last week we talked about thedeep relationship between David
and Jonathan.
You know, Jonathan being KingSaul's son, the heir to the
throne.
Um Jonathan yet was willing tosurrender that because he knew
(02:09):
God had chosen David to be nextking, to be the next king.
And of course, King Saulcouldn't handle that.
He was jealous, threatened, andfull of rage towards David, even
though David had done nothingwrong.
And at that point, we knowJonathan and David hugged,
embraced, and David went on therun.
So now we're in 1 Samuel 21:1,and um David arrives at Knop
(02:32):
terrified and running for hislife.
He meets Ahimelech, the priest,who is nervous when he sees
David alone and asks, Why areyou by yourself?
Instead of telling the truth,David lies, saying he's on a
secret mission for King Saul andneeds food and weapons.
You can almost hear the fearbehind his words, the kind of
(02:53):
panic that makes you saywhatever you have to say just to
get through that moment.
And Ahimelech believes him andgives him holy bread from the
table of the Lord, as mentionedin 1 Samuel 21.6.
And he also gives David thesword of Goliath, the same one
David used years earlier todefeat the giant, which is said
(03:14):
in 1 Samuel 21 9.
David thinks he's outsmarted thesituation, but what he doesn't
realize is that someone waswatching, Doeg of Ebonite, one
of Saul's officials.
Later in 1 Samuel 22 9 through19, Doeg reports everything to
Saul, twisting the story to makeit sound like Ahimelech helped
(03:37):
David betray the king.
And in his jealousy and rage,Saul accused Ahimelech of
treason.
Ahimelech pleads his innocence,which he was innocent, saying he
had no idea what was going on.
But Saul refused to listen.
And in that moment, Saul orderedDoag to kill not only Ahimelech,
but 85 priests, plus theirfamilies and the entire town of
(04:02):
Nob.
It's one of the darkest momentsin Saul's story, I feel.
A king consumed by fear andenvy.
And one man escapes, and it isum Abathar, which is Ahimelech's
son.
He runs to David around 1 Samuel22, 20, and he runs and he runs
to David and he tells him whathappened.
(04:24):
And when David hears this news,David's heart breaks.
He says in 1 Samuel 22, I knewthat day when Doag the Ammonite
was there, that he would surelytell Saul, I have caused the
death of all the persons of yourfather's house.
David takes full responsibilityand he's devastated, realizing
(04:45):
that this small little lie, themoment of fear instead of faith,
had devastating consequences.
And that's where the story lieswith me, because um I've had my
own Ahimelech moments, timeswhen fear made me act before I
prayed for the for the blessing.
(05:08):
Um, a few weeks ago, I mentionedthat I had been wrestling with a
side business I was planningwith my mom.
I was really diving into theside business because I wanted
to have extra income to supportmy family.
That was literally the reasonfor it.
And my mom got excited about it.
I f and I started to feel badbecause she got emotionally
invested.
(05:29):
But the more I thought aboutthis business, the more I
realized my heart was just wasjust not in it.
I had to be honest with myselfand with her, and it wasn't what
God was telling me to do.
That was hard because I love mymom and I know she was looking
forward to it.
But lately I've realized whattruly lights me up is home
renovations and interior design.
(05:50):
I absolutely love it.
And people that are close to meknow that.
And if I'm being real, I've beenscared.
I've been scared to step intothat world, to invest in it, to
make it more than just, youknow, social media.
Interior designers have degrees,certifications, high-end
(06:11):
clients, and honestly, sometimesthey come off as intimidating or
even unwelcoming, to be honest.
And as a 38-year-old mom, I'vehad those thoughts like, how can
I start now?
I can't go back to square one.
What if I fail?
What if I owe all this money inthe end?
My mom even said, just take outa business loan.
(06:33):
But that idea terrifies me.
The thought of debt, your creditbeing affected, all of that is
at risk and it's just unknown.
And then it really, you know,it's like it hit me.
My version of fear over faithisn't running from Saul or lying
to a priest, it's lettingfinances and comfort dictate my
(06:57):
my journey, my obedience.
It's saying, no, that's toorisky.
Instead of saying, God, if youcalled me, you'll make a way.
And that's my survival mode.
That's my David moment becausefear doesn't look like running
all the time, it can look likeyou just standing still.
(07:19):
It looks like you're settling.
But here's the thing God hasprovided so much for me this
year.
Our daughter just started schooland we prayed for that.
He's been faithful in ways Ican't even imagine.
Financially, even.
So why would I doubt him now?
I have to really sit back andthink about that.
(07:41):
Why now?
When I went to San Diego a fewmonths ago, uh about a month
ago, God surrounded me withconfirmation.
I met a man named Ash, one ofthe early pioneers in the tech
world who helped developtargeting algorithms.
And he even told me that youhave such strong people skills.
(08:03):
You should be leading andconnecting people.
Then the same week, I spent timewith a coworker who's also such
a strong mentor for me and afriend, and one of my best
friends, I had a longconversation with Chris Rogers.
None of them knew what I hadbeen praying about, but every
single one of them spoke wordsthat lined up perfectly.
(08:25):
It was like God was saying, Youalready know what I told you to
do.
Now trust me and go do it.
And maybe that's where you aretoday.
Maybe God's been nudging you totake a step of faith, to start
the thing, forgive the person,apply for the job, or simply
believe he can do what hepromised for you.
(08:46):
But fear keeps whispering, it'stoo risky, it's too risky.
Friend, whoever is listening,fear will always feel safer.
I'm gonna say that again.
Fear will always fear.
Fear will always feel safer.
But faith is where the miraclesand the blessings happen.
(09:12):
Don't let fear overpower yourfaith.
Let faith overpower your fear.
Don't be like David in thissituation, lying, pretending,
acting out of panic.
When God had already promised toprovide for him.
David forgot, just like we dosometimes for a moment, that he
was the chosen king of Israel.
(09:35):
And sometimes we forget thatwe're the chosen children of
God.
So whatever you're facing,financial pressure, uncertainty,
anxiety, or that dream you'veburied in the back, take it up
to God.
Pray this with me.
Lord, I'm scared, but I trustyou.
(09:56):
I know you'll provide.
I'm stepping out in faith.
I believe you'll meet me where Ineed to be.
You know, when you do that, yourealize God's hand was already
there making a way.
And remember, when we let feardominate faith, we are delaying
(10:18):
a blessing.
God already prepared.
But when we repent, reflect, andreturn to God like David did,
God still redeems all of it.
So ask yourself this week, areyou living with faith over fear?
Or fear over faith?
(10:41):
Because I promise, faith winsevery single time.
And Satan will hate it, but Godwill love it.
Love you all.
God bless.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you somuch for this amazing lesson of
us realizing that we can't getfar with fear.
(11:04):
And realizing that Satan wantsus to just grow up in fear so we
don't take those risks.
We don't, you know, have thatfaith to move forward in the
direction and the journey thatyou have already prepared for
us, Lord.
Father, we thank you so much foryour love, your compassion.
We thank you so much for sendingyour son here to die on the
(11:26):
cross for our sins, Lord.
And Father, thank you so muchfor everybody listening.
If anybody is going throughsomething and they need to
really put that fear aside,Lord, I just pray that they are
encouraged to put that fearaside and trust in you.
And when we trust in you, Lord,our faith will flourish, the
blessings will come, theunderstanding will come.
(11:48):
Father, we love you and wepraise you in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Love you all till next time.
We're going to continue David onthe run.
Well, that wraps up this week'sepisode.
My prayer is that thesedevotions bring you a little
closer to God each day.
If you felt encouraged, don'tkeep it to yourself.
Share this episode with a friendor loved one who could use the
(12:10):
same reminder.
Be sure to hit subscribe so younever miss a weekly message.
And if you like, leaving a kindreview means so much.
For more, check the show notesor connect with me on Instagram
or TikTok at JessieMorganFaith.
Until next time, this is JesseMorgan praying off.
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