I secretly loved being scared when I was a kid. We’d watch the old monster movies – Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, Werewolf – they were awesome, and provided just enough fear to give you a thrill. When I got a little older, the movies got a little scarier. To get to my best friend Julie’s house, I had to travel down a stretch of road where some large, old trees hovered over the street. There were very few street lights in this part of town, and it was pretty eerie. Julie and I were always a bit apprehensive about traversing this stretch to reach the house at the end of our destination – if it was dark. At some point, we convinced ourselves that we were perfectly safe…as long as we didn’t hear the theme music from Friday the 13th. You know…the dreaded, “Che che che che che. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.”Since real killers don’t play theme music before they attack, we were never going to hear that music. It was all perfectly logical to us and kept us safe for years as we went back and forth to each others homes. Sometimes, just for fun, one of us would start mimicking the music as we rode our bikes under those smothering trees. We’d laugh and peddle faster. That little jolt of adrenaline was fun and we had no real fear of anything.
Fear. A very wise man once said, There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Now, unless you’re lost…he’s right. If you are lost, you better be in great fear of the flames of Hell that await you. More than that, you better do something about your condition…right NOW. But, for my Christian friend, you have nothing to fear. As David tells us in Psalm 23, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. David didn’t say while I’m riding my bike to my friend’s house, while I’m fishing at Grand Lake, while I’m shopping at the mall, while I’m taking this test. He said, I’m walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
There is nothing, no place, no circumstance, no event that tops “the valley of the shadow of death”.
Nada.
I’m walking right into this valley where death itself casts a dark shadow, and it’s waiting to consume me.
Who’s not afraid of that?
David most beautifully explained that we don’t have to be. His valley is preceded by two very powerful words…”Yea, though.” David meant, even though.
Even though.
Even though I’m doing the scariest thing anyone can do…I fear no evil.
Why?
Was David some superhero? Bullet proof? Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?
No! He was not. He was just a shepherd boy. What made David so powerful wasn’t some other-worldly strength or magic or the blood of a Greek god. David loved God so much he had total and utter faith in Him. David’s faith in God is what made him so powerful. He believed with his very bones that God was with him. That is why he could so boldly announce, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. So, David said, I’m not afraid of anything – giants, jealous kings, enemies, conquering nations – because God is with me.
If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31
Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t let fear overwhelm you. Don’t let fear cripple you. Look fear right in it’s ugly face and recognize who it is. Fear is Satan. Satan wants to keep you from fulfilling God’s plan. Satan wants to derail you. He most certainly does not want you to be a witness to your neighbor who plays his music too loud and cusses at his kids. He wants you to worry about losing your job if you listen to a Christian radio station in your office or mention God to your co-workers. He wants you to never ask your alcoholic uncle if he knows Jesus. He is so happy when you worry that your adult child won’t come around or might be mad at you if you invite them to church. Satan delights in making you believe that you don’t know enough about the bible to lead a bible study. And, he is absolutely joyous when you feel there is no way you could ever go all the way to such-n-so place and share the Gospel.
The ultimate tactic Satan uses in dimming the light within Christians is…fear. Fear is his secret weapon. It’s outer shell is made of doubt, worry, anxiety. If he can get you to buy into his lies, he has succeeded in getting you to hide your light. By hiding your light, Satan is keeping you from fulfilling the Great Commission.
At the heart of most of this fear is the idea that you might lose something. Your job. Your house. A friend. Some money.
So?
Who cares?
If you are that tied down to those kinds of things, let me gently remind you that this world is not your home. Now, maybe you don’t fully understand what that means. Let me say it again. This world is not your home. THIS WORLD IS NOT YOUR HOME! When you realize that and fully accept it, you will be free. FREE. Free from fear. You can’t fear what lays no hold over you. Your inheritance awaits you in heaven. Your family land is in heaven. Your father is in heaven. Your mansion is in heaven. Your home is in heaven. Don’t be so attached to the things of this world. Just laugh and peddle faster.
Children of God should have no fear. David knew this. God is with us. As we go forth boldly into the world and proclaim His great name, He is with us.
Please share with me your favorite verse about overcoming fear.
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May God Bless you!
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