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Do Not Fear
Posted by Les Puryear in Uncategorized
Many people are struggling with fear. Fear adversely impacts our walk with Christ and the results can be dismal disobedient despair. God does not want us to live in a spirit of fear. The Bible says in 2 Tim. 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
In my reading, I have found wonderful encouragement from John Piper for those who are gripped with fear. His encouraging words comprise the remainder of this post.
Trusting God, through Jesus, is the key to fearlessness. And promises from God are the key that leads from the dungeon of fear. So consider these and be courageous.
1. We will not die apart from God’s gracious decree for His children. (James 4:15)
2. Curses and divination do not hold sway against God’s people. (Num. 23:23)
3. The plans of terrorists and hostile nations do not succeed apart from our gracious God.
(Ps. 33:10; Isa. 8:10; 2 Sam. 7:14; Neh. 4:15)
4. Man cannot harm us beyond God’s gracious will for us. (Ps. 56:11)
5. God promises to protect His own from all that is not finally good for them. (Ps. 91:14)
6. God promises to give us all we need to obey, enjoy, and honor Him forever. (Phil. 4:19)
7. God is never taken off guard. (Ps. 121:4)
8. God will be with us, help us, and uphold us in trouble. (Isa. 41:10, 13)
9. Terror will come, some of us will die, but not a hair of our heads will perish.
(Luke 21:10-11, 18)
10. Nothing befalls God’s own but in its appointed hour. (John 7:30; 8:20; 10:18)
11. When God Almighty is your helper, none can harm you beyond what He decrees.
(Heb. 13:6; Rom. 8:31)
12. God’s faithfulness is based on the firm value of His name, not the fickle measure of our
obedience. (1 Sam. 12:20-22)
13. The Lord, our protector, is great and awesome. (Neh. 4:14)
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Amen.
Excellent stuff Les. Thank you.
Rob
LOVE GOD OR FEAR HIM?
(PROVERBS 1:7)
Wouldn’t it be better if the author just said that we are to love God rather than commending our fear of him? Why is fearing God mentioned so frequently in the Bible? The phrase is used so frequently that cross-referencing all the instances here has been avoided in the interests of space.
The term to fear can describe everything from dread (Deut 1:29) or being terrified (Jon 1:10) to standing in awe (1 Kings 3:28) and having reverence (Lev 19:3). When used of the Lord, it encapsulates both aspects of the term, a shrinking back in recognition of the difference or holiness of God and the drawing close in awe and worship. To fear the Lord is not to experience a dread that paralyzes all action, but neither is it just a polite respect. It is an attitude of both reluctance and adoration that results in a willingness to do what God says. The fear of the Lord, then, is absolutely necessary if we are even to begin on the right foot in learning, living or worshiping.
The problem with saying that loving God is enough is that this informs us as to what the proper emotion should be, but it says nothing, in and of itself, as to what we should do about expressing that love. It also leaves the important aspect of the holiness and difference of God’s nature and character untouched and without a response.
But with the fear of the Lord there is a foundation for wisdom, discipline, learning and life. It expresses itself in a hatred of evil (Prov 8:13) and demonstrates its presence by its willingness to be obedient (Gen 22:12).
In His Name
Wayne Smith