Wednesday, July 25, 2012

July 25, 2012

"The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Could it be possible that the faith that overcomes fear is based on a greater fear?

These Scriptures seems to imply that:


"But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." I Samuel 12:24

"And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28

"Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling." Psalm 2:11

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4-5

"Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it."  Jeremiah 5:22

If you want to be free from fear of the things around you simply have a greater fear of God within you. Fear disobeying Him more that you fear rejection or persecution from those who oppose you. Fear displeasing Him more than you fear displeasing men.

I experienced this when I was preparing to take my first mission trip abroad. For several months prior to leaving for Zambia, Africa I was overwhelmed by a haunting fear of flying over the ocean. I had nightmares and night sweats nearly every night.

As the time to leave drew nearer I found myself thinking convenient ways to back out of going. But since I was leading the trip, I knew that would not be acceptable. So, I knew I had to deal with it and I made it a matter of prayer. As I prayed and sought God He revealed to me that I was being opposed by the enemy and that I was fearing the enemy more than I feared Him. When I repented to Him and confessed my fear, He drew me close to Him and took away my fear. Suddenly I had more fear of displeasing God than any of my personal fears. The holy fear within my gave me courage and I flew to Africa and back without anxiety.

In fact, I have been there and back a second time!

Every great hero of the Bible - Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and even Jesus - were able to appear fearless in the face of great opposition because they feared God more than anything else.

Do you fear God more than you fear man?

Is there something you fear that is keeping your from obeying God?