July 28, 2020
Good Morning Fellow Travelers,
Read: Psa 27
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Rom 8:35, 37 KJV)
The young boy froze as the lion’s roar reverberated through the darkening jungle along the grassland. The sound seemed to come from all directions. How could he know where the lion was? Was he about to pounce? The boy snuggled up to his father who held the rifle ready. It had been a long day of walking and they were almost home. The temperatures were now bearable but the light was almost gone.
What is fear and how does it affect us? The scripture says…Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Fear could be defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous and could cause pain or be a threat. It could also be described as a feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or someone’s safety and well-being.
When we fear something or someone we often lose our ability to think objectively and with caution. The thing that is causing us fear begins to control us. Fear causes tension and depression and sometimes leads even to suicide. Some people cannot get adequate sleep because of fear.
People fear other people, conflict in relationships, and abuse. They fear being discovered as a fraud and having their history revealed to the public or perhaps to a spouse. Others fear rejection of parents or someone they love and admire. For many people even the thought of death strikes them with fear. Not everyone is faced with this looming lion of terror, but nonetheless the majority of humanity is bound by some kind of fear.
If we want to be delivered from the fears that grip us we can go to Jesus. He has said…Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). When we repent of all our sins, put our faith and trust in Jesus as Savior, and then follow Him as Lord of our life we will be delivered from fear. His Spirit will come into our heart and surround our lives and take away all fear. Another scripture says…For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7).
We have the promise that if we walk with God He will be with us …Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Jesus said that we are to…fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. When His Spirit comes into our life we become bold and fear is taken away. These are characteristics of a Spirit filled Christian – rest, fearlessness, trust and hope.
~ Harold R Troyer
