06/02/2022
Fear, or being afraid, is a frequent subject in the Bible, and we hear this word mentioned often, but in both scripture, and our lives, there is something special about experiencing fear. These times of fright, uncertainty, deep dread, and even terror, always seem to precede amazing moments, or acts of spiritual increase. In our own lives the times of fear that cause us to cringe, and quake, go hand in hand with our being humbled before God, the abandonment of self, an immersion in prayer, and profound lessons in how we are to trust God more completely. If we succeed in receiving the lessons that are taught through fear we will find that they culminate in significant increases in our faith, and spirituality. No one would ever wish for a life filled with fearful occurrences, but we certainly need them.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Psalm 56:3 ESV
When asked about increasing one’s faith I have told people over and over again that “The worst times in my life physically, have also been the greatest times for me spiritually.” Hardship, suffering, and trials; they all come with some degree of fear associated with them. I was reading Psalm 56 today, and it brought this basic truth to mind once again, and I recalled how often we are told to “fear not” by God, Jesus, and Angels. In our psalm today the theme of trust and fear are repeated for us by David, and the lesson could not be more clear… to overcome fear we must trust in God…
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Psalm 56:4 ESV
“in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Psalm 56:11 ESV
Are we experiencing a moment, or season, of fear in our lives today? Is it because an Angel has presented itself and it’s appearance is frightening? Is it the fear of receiving bad news? Is it because we are facing an enemy that wants to harm us? Is it because we don’t have food or water, and fear starvation, or dying of thirst? Is it some inexplicable fear like the one so many of us have of heights, or various other phobias? I could go on and on asking about our various fears, but each of us has our own, and we know them well. The question is never really whether we know our fears, but is whether we can see the spiritual lesson that each one of them teaches us. What is it about a specific fear we are encountering that God is using to teach us about Himself, our faith, or our spiritual selves? Every fear is meant to lead us to our Father…
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
Isaiah 41:13 ESV
Whether in life, death, or any of the myriad of fearful circumstances, God helps us by not only overcoming the thing that is causing us to fear, but more importantly, the fear itself. Are we ready to lean on the Lord, learn the lessons, and trust completely in Him? Are we prepared to do as Jesus told us so clearly… to not to be afraid?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the peace and joy you give us, but thank you also for the fears we experience in life that lead us to you, and increase our faith as we trust in you amidst them. We thank you for defeating our various enemies, and overcoming our challenges, but we thank you most for increasing our belief and faith in you as you address every fear in our lives. Help us Lord to never face these fears alone, but always with you at our side. Help us to realize that you are the solution to every uncertainty, and the calming voice that stands watch over us, and relieves our night terrors. You are the ointment that soothes, the medicine that cures, and the life that conquers death. What then shall we fear? Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is the antithesis of fear, and the source of calm and peace in our lives. Praised be your name for the fears you relieve, and our faith which is strengthened by your answers to our desperate and fear filled prayers. You are Merciful Father, and turn even our most frightening moments into good as you lift us from within the clutches of our fear, and place us in the arms of Jesus. Your grace is amazing indeed, and saves us from our own earthly nightmares, and sinful encounters. You take away the fears, and replace them with righteousness; you take away our angst and endow us with a deeper, and more abiding, faith in you. Wash us in the blood of Christ, and let our lives be transformed as we become more like him every day. Judge us as worthy, unafraid, and obedient to your will. Seat us before you for all eternity, and bless us with your peace that knows no bounds, and no fear.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
Isaiah 41:10-13 ESV
Rich Forbes