Scripture tells us that we are to fear not, but with all that's going on around us, how is that possible?
When we think of fear we usually think of the emotion associated with fright, which is a sudden intense feeling of fear. Synonyms of this type fear are fearfulness, terror, horror, alarm, panic, dread, trepidation, dismay, nervousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, perturbation, and disquiet.
The Bible tells us not to act on this emotion, in other words we are to "fear not". We are commanded to “fear not” because God has made many promises to those who believe in Jesus. He’s promised to protect them, to provide for them, and to give them eternal life with Him.
Fear is one of Satan’s strongest weapons that he uses against us in spiritual warfare. Worry, anxiety, fear…can overwhelm us and either paralyze us or control every move and decision we make. (See The Mind is the Battlefield in Spiritual Warfare).
Psalm 27 An Exuberant Declaration Of Faith
Psalm 27 is a prayer of David at a time in his life when he could have been paralyzed by fear.
Psalms 27:1-14 CEV You, Lord , are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears. Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall. Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you. I ask only one thing, Lord : Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple. In times of trouble, Lord , you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock. You will let me defeat all my enemies. Then I will celebrate, as I enter your tent with animal sacrifices and songs of praise. Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don't hide from me. I am your servant, Lord , and you have helped me. Don't turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don't reject or desert me. Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me. Teach me to follow, Lord , and lead me on the right path because of my enemies. Don't let them do to me what they want. People tell lies about me and make violent threats, but I know I will live to see how kind you are. Trust the Lord ! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord . (emphasis mine).
David shows how free he is from fear in any danger; and he announces that his trust of God is the reason for his confidence. He prays that God supports him at times when he could easily fall prey to fear;
Psalms 27:7-10 CEV Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don't hide from me. I am your servant, Lord , and you have helped me. Don't turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don't reject or desert me. Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
He ends by encouraging others to follow his example of trusting God and not succumbing to fear.
Psalms 27:14 CEV Trust the Lord ! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord .
We can have that confidence that David talks about because of what Jesus did on the cross. Because of His sacrifice we are now more than conquerors meaning that we really have nothing to fear.
Romans 8:36-37 NKJV As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
This same passage of scripture that identifies the believer as more than a conquer also says;
Romans 8:31-32 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
If God sacrificed His own Son to save us from our sins, how would he not also be with us in the fears we face today?
By Christina Fox
Father In Heaven, I Come Before You As The Psalmist Did, Weary, Worn, And Frightened. I Come Before You Because You Are King And You Rule All Things. I Come Before You Because You Are My Father, My Abba. You Adopted Me As Your Child And Have Given Me Every Privilege That Comes With Being A Part Of Your Family. I Come Before You Because You Are My Savior. All I Have Comes To Me From Your Generous Hands. I Come Before You Because You Are My Redeemer. You Alone Can Redeem And Restore All That Is Broken In My Life And In The World Around Me.
Forgive Me For Turning My Gaze From You And Looking At The Frightening Things Happening Around Me. Forgive Me For Forgetting That You Are With Me. Forgive Me For Not Trusting. Forgive Me For Not Crying Out To You Sooner But Trying To Conquer My Fears In My Own Strength. Forgive Me For Not Living In Complete Dependence Upon You.
Father, Hear The Deepest Cries Of My Heart. Rule And Reign Over Your Kingdom, Turn The Hearts Of Kings, And May Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven. Raise Up Godly Leaders, Teachers, Pastors, And People Who Love You And Your Word. Use Your People To Spread Your Gospel Across The Earth. May We Be The Salt And Light You Instructed Us To Be.
In My Life Lord, Give Me A Peace That Passes All Understanding. Though I Don't Know What Will Happen With All That Troubles Me This Day, Help Me To Trust You. Help Me To Remember That You Are Not Surprised. Help Me To Remember That Nothing Will Happen Today That Takes You Off Guard. You Are Not Asleep Or Too Busy But Are Actively Involved In All The Cares Of My Life. Help Me To Wait And Watch For Your Glory. Help Me To Obey And Do The Right Thing In The Moment, Knowing You Are There In All The Moments To Come.
Most Of All, Help Me To Remember Jesus, The One Who Cried Out In The Garden On The Night He Was Betrayed, “Abba, Father, All Things Are Possible For You. Remove This Cup From Me. Yet Not What I Will, But What You Will”. I Thank You That "For The Joy That Was Set Before Him Endured The Cross, Despising The Shame, And Is Seated At The Right Hand Of The Throne Of God". Even Now, He Intercedes For Me—What A Marvelous Truth!
I Pray All This In The Name Of Jesus, Amen.