Fear

150 Fear Nots

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Some of our dearest friends at times pooh-pooh our fears. They insist we are silly, unreasonable or wrong-headed by the things that make us lie awake at night. But did you know that in the Bible God takes our fears very seriously? In fact God lovingly and patiently tells us 150 times in the Bible. “Fear not!” – or in some translations – “Don’t be Afraid!” Rather than lecturing s about our fault God offers us a promise, a reminder and a solution.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

He has promised to be with us. He doesn’t tell us like the doctor, “Take three of these, drink lots of water and call me tomorrow.” No God promises to constantly remain at our side. He is there through the sleepless nights and He keeps us close especially when we are afraid. Then God reminds us that not only will He be with us but that He will strengthen us.  He isn’t simply hanging around. He will pour out on us the oil and wine of His presence when we have been wounded and carried us when we can’t go on. Last of all our God is a very practical God. When the apostle Peter tried walking out on the water toward Jesus we are told that he became afraid and started to sink. I am so glad that Jesus didn’t just stand there with his arms folded saying, “Come on Peter you can do it!”

No! We are told that as Peter began to sink Jesus immediately reached down and took his hand. I am so glad that on days when I feel I am sinking out of sight that His solution is not a lecture but a strong right hand that will hold me and help me to walk into this New Year with Him with all 150 “Fear Nots”!

 

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Moshia Our Deliverer

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I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears Psalm 34:4

God knows and He hears is our Immanuel, but He is also something more, He is “Moshia” Our Deliverer. Jesus not only goes with us through our problems, He is able to deliver, which can be translated as Save or Heal as well.

Imagine you have a high fever and a terrible cough. You go to your family doctor whom you trust and who has taken care of you for years. He takes x-rays, listens to your chest and takes your blood pressure. Then he clears his throat and says, “Well you definitely have a severe case of pneumonia. If it isn’t treated this week you could die, but the bad news is I have no antibiotics left to give you In fact there has been such a run on anti-biotics this year that the entire supply is depleted and you will just have to go home to die! I wish I could help. I would like to help but I can’t!”

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You might laugh and say, “That never happens!” There is always someone who can help!” But as certain as we are in small problems that we do understand, we also need to believe that no matter what we face; Jesus is “Moshia” He is our deliverer. He not only knows our problem. He not only cares about our problem. Jesus holds the waves and wind of our storms under his command. Jesus is king over every King. Jesus is the forgiver of every sin. Jesus is the healer of every disease (whether we pick up our prescription here or in heaven)! Jesus knows about not just some of our problems, not just some of our hurts and not just some of our fears. Jesus knows them all. Jesus is “Moshia” who delivers us from ALL our fears!

Psalm 34

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I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears Psalm 34:4

A pastor of mine many had once worked on steel towers several hundred feet tall. He talked with me one day about the process of training that men went through to be able to join the crew. One phrase that he often said is ,”Any man who says he isn’t afraid is a liar!”

I believe that King David would have agreed with my pastor. He didn’t try convincing God that he was courageous. No David’s response to the fear he felt while in danger was to cry out to the Lord. He knew that God already knew that he was terrified. He wasn’t trying to fool God or anyone else. David knew of only one place to go; that was to his knees! Like a child shouting for his father’s help David unhesitatingly cried to God. No matter what anyone thought David was convinced that God would listen. 

If you are facing your biggest fear today God already knows. He is able to deliver but He is patiently waiting for our cry!