Wednesday, January 31, 2018

His Purpose for Me: Fear Visits Everyone

His Purpose for Me: Fear Visits Everyone: Fear is an emotion. We feel fear when we believe something is going to do harm.  Fear is and always has been a part of life. Since the tim...
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Sunday, January 28, 2018

Fear Visits Everyone


Fear is an emotion. We feel fear when we believe something is going to do harm. Fear is and always has been a part of life. Since the time that sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve fear has reared its ugly head. Max Lucado, one of my favorite speakers stated, “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith, fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident”(Sermon Quotes, 2018).

 Just as fear is natural in this fallen world, so is God reassuring us that He is always here for us. Abram later renamed Abraham experienced fear as he obeyed God's command to leave his father and go into a new land. In Genesis 15:1 God told Abram, “Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (NIV). And it didn't stop with Abraham.

 Moses had to reassure the Israelis during their departure from Egypt. In Exodus 14:13, Moses explained to them, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (NIV). And after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Moses explained to the people that he could not go into the promised land with them but would place them in the very capable hands of Joshua. Moses states in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (NIV). God's promise remained true.
A prophecy about the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel in Isaiah 35 talks about not only the land coming back to life but the fear of the people. In Isaiah 35:4 it states, “Say to those with fearful hearts, be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, he will come and save you” (NIV). Throughout the Bible, God gives encouragement to His people.

And in Zechariah 8, God explains that although the people of Judah and Israel have been a problem for many nations, He would save them and cause them to become a blessing. God states, “Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong”(NIV). This promise is not just for the Jewish people but for anyone who has given his or her life to the Son, the Holy Messiah, Jesus the Christ.

When Jesus gave His life as the “last sacrifice” He gave us the right to become sons and daughters of God the Father. Jesus said to his followers in Luke 12:12 “Don't be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom”(NIV). God the Father is pleased with us if we choose to become His children. We have been given the kingdom!!

So this week as fear creeps back into your thinking remember what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us”(NIV)? So Fear Not!




Please enjoy this music video by CastingCrowns.

Your Sister in Christ,
Jacque Barnes


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