My last essay was on being still, which is very hard for
most of us. Moreover, not fearing is even harder. I once heard a very popular
pastor say that he fears nothing. I believe that’s dangerous. There is plenty
to fear in this crazy world, yet I think the pastor’s point might have been
that with the fear and faith in God we should not fear anything else. So why
does the Bible say, “fear not” some 365 times in the New Testament alone?
Fear is a primal instinct that I believe God put in all of
us to be able to know when to run from saber tooth tigers and terrorists. You will remember the fight or flight
syndrome. Wikipedia says the following:
The fight-or-flight
response (also called the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response
[in PTSD], hyperarousal, or the acute stress response) is a physiological
reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or
threat to survival. It was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon.
We
are wired for this. Yet Scripture is telling us to “fear not.” However, it first tells us numerous times
to fear the Lord and that this is the beginning of wisdom and the way to put
away fear. Starting in Deuteronomy 6:13 “Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only and
take your oaths in His name.” The Lord asks us to “fear the Lord your God, to walk
in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I
am giving you today for your own good” (Deuteronomy 10:12).
Joshua
4:24 tells us that after the Lord dried up the Jordan so the Israelites could
cross know “the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your
God.” By the end of this book Joshua told the people, ‘Now
fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness…as for me and my house, we
will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14,15).
This fear is one of awesome respect and worship. This fear is repeated
often in Scripture. Job knew of it bringing Satan to say, “Does Job fear God for nothing” (Job
1:9). God says to Job, “You will be protected from the lash of the
tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes” (Job 5:21).
The
Psalms are full of expressions of fear starting with Psalm 2:11 "Serve
the Lord with fear.”” And “The fear of the Lord is pure.” (Psalm
19:9) and Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom.” David gained his strength through his faith and fear of God.
Perhaps my favorite is Psalm 27:1 saying 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?”
Many know Psalm 46:2, “The Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever
present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give
way…” Psalm 91 is the song of “911” or disaster. After speaking of
finding shelter with the Lord, verse 5 says, “You will not fear the terror by
night, nor the arrow by day.” Psalm
118 is one of thanksgiving as are many because God is in the praises of His
people. Verse 6 says, The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?” This
verse is repeated in Hebrews 13:6 giving fortitude to the Hebrew
believers. One final psalm speaks of God
catching and saving all our tears in a bottle. Psalm 56:3-4 tells us, “When
I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in god I trust,
I will not be afraid.”
The
Prophet Isaiah also gives us strong assurance in times of trouble. Isaiah
35:4-5 says, “say to those with fearful hearts, ‘be strong, do not fear, your God
will come.’” Chapter 41 strengthens us after speaking of troubles, “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…do
not be afraid…for I myself will help you” (Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14).
The
Prophet Jeremiah also fortifies us in his Lamentations saying, “You
came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear” (Lamentations
3:57). We are told in James 4:8 to come near to God and He will come near to
you.
I
will end my references to the Old Testament with the Prophet Haggai stating of
the promised glory of the new house referencing the coming Messiah, “For
I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty…and my Spirit remains among you. Do
not fear” (Haggai 2:4,5).
In
the New Testament Jesus Christ replaces our fear with a living faith. “But
perfect love drives (castes) out fear” (1 John 4:18). That perfect love
is Christ Himself in us. Revelation 14:7 ends the Bible with Jesus telling us
not to fear any of the trials and tribulations but instead saying “Fear
God and give Him glory.” I think
we easily get afraid before we seek God and His provision. We like control and
when we fear, we feel out of control. God says, give your control to me.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.