“ Fear not”
Fear is a feeling of dread, being afraid, scared, not confident, or a lack of boldness. [KJV biblegateway.com] I John 4:17 states,” Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment”. Fear is a feeling of dread that something bad will happen. Scripture indicates that fear is a lack of boldness or of not being perfected in love. However the opposite of fear is love or boldness according to Scripture. Even people in the Bible were afraid.1 Kings chapter 19 tells us that Elijah had great victories over the enemies of God’s people, and yet when Jezebel threatened his life, “ he ran for his life”. Another example is David. God chose him to replace King Saul, and Saul was jealous of him, so he chased David and sought to kill him. Scripture tells us in 1 Samuel chapters 21 through 31 that David hid in caves. With that in mind, everyone is afraid sometimes. Some are afraid of losing their job, some are afraid of what the future holds. But Scripture holds the answer to fear. Isaiah 41:10,” 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. God is telling us the reasons not to fear, he is with us, he is my God [with God on our side, can we lose?] he will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us, what more could we ask for. If the God of the universe does all that for us, and he is God, why fear. Yet, people still have a feeling of dread, and being afraid and a lack of boldness. Hebrew 13:5 states,” for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Others may leave, but God is always with us, what a comforting thought to know that. God can help us with our fears if we lean on him.
Prayer: LORD help me to be comforted by the fact that you are with me, you are my God, and you will strengthen me and uphold me. You are where my strength comes from. In Jesus name amen.
Copyright 2012 Zorrine Bailey
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