Do you ever have dreams where there is ONE THING you need to do and seemingly no way to get it done? Too many people in the way. Obstacles standing between you and the task. Or, you’re completely unprepared (I didn’t know I was supposed to go to that class. How am I going to pass the test?) In last night’s dream, my pastor asked me to read Scripture during the church service. All I had to do was open my Bible and read three words, “Don’t be afraid.” I was willing, but awoke before it came to pass.
Maybe those are words that I needed to hear and think about. Perhaps you need to hear them, too.
I’ve read that the Bible contains 365 commands not to fear, one for each day of the year. I looked up verses containing afraid or fear this morning and quickly filled two notebook pages with reassuring words. In the Old Testament, God tells Isaac, Isaiah, and Jeremiah not to fear, graciously giving them the reason for confidence.
Genesis 26:24 Do not be afraid for I am with you.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Jeremiah 1:7,8 You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.
The Psalms penned by David proclaim that even though this life is full of danger and evil, there is no need to fear.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Psalm 27:1 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 34:4 I sought the Lord and he answered me: he delivered me from my fears.
Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man to do me? (David had been captured by enemy Philistines!)
King David passed his fear-fighting faith along to his son Solomon, who wrote down proverbs, words we are blessed to be able to read and apply to our 21st century lives. The book of Proverbs begins:
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Surely Solomon was blessed by his father’s faith. “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)
But, we have to notice that Solomon is encouraging fear! He quotes his fathers words from Psalm 111, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” So which is it, fear or don’t fear? The key is knowing that fear is the beginning that leads to freedom from fear.
The people of God, led by Moses, were taught healthy fear, “Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
Jesus explained to his apostles that there is One who is to be feared.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4-7)
Look again at David’s words in Psalm 34, “I sought the Lord and he answered me: he delivered me from all my fears.”
Think of the words in the hymn Amazing Grace. “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
GRACE IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN FEAR AND FREEDOM FROM FEAR.
Rather than leave us in a state of perpetual fear of death and judgment for our sins, God, in love, gracefully gave his son Jesus, so we could become friends and children of God, free from fear. Jesus repeatedly told his friends not to fear, but to replace fear with faith. In the midst of the storm, he said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” When facing the death of a child, he said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”Just before his death, he told his friends, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
A couple of contemporary Christian songs make powerful statements about fear. When faced with his cancer diagnosis, Casting Crowns singer Mark Hall wrote, “O my soul, you are not alone. There’s a place where fear has to face the God you know.” In his song, Fear is a Liar, Zach Williams confidently declares,
“Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear he is a liar.”
When fear creeps in, we often become consumed with worry and anxiety. My September 2017 post, Faith Like a Fisherman, may also be an encouragement.
Friends, I offer words from the apostle John, words written after the resurrection of Jesus, words that help us know whether we have truly accepted the gift of love – grace given on the cross, eternal life for those who believe in Jesus:
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18)
“The fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Proverbs 19:23