Posts Tagged ‘ Fear ’
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Proverbs 29:25, ESV
When we are afraid of what people might say or do to us, we fall in the trap of thinking they as if they are greater than God. No matter what this world does to us, we can know we are eternally safe in Christ.
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10, ESV
The world and the devil want to hold us back and lead us from righteousness, but, even if we stumble, God is there to help us overcome and thrive.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:12-13, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.
But God was not willing to leave us mired in our sin.
God came to us, born as an infant, weak, physically powerless, yet without sin.
But we know He did not stay weak and powerless.
Many people in this world are hostile to Christ, afraid of His power or not wanting to follow His commands, thinking they know better. This hostility is often directed at Christians
But we also know God watches out for His people.
Herod wanted to destroy Christ, and possibly he would have hurt the wise men and Mary and Joseph in the process. God sent an angel to warn them to flee.
We have been shown the truth of who Christ is through His Word, and this same Word warns us of those who put up the pretense of being followers but secretly seek to or inadvertently damage and destroy the truth of Christ.
And this can include questioning the need for Christ coming or claiming God is the bad guy.
We may face persecution and hatred, but we also know Jesus faced it first and it is all ultimately against Him. And He helps us in the midst of the persecution. (John 15:18-26)
May we seek the Lord who knows our pain and fear.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV
We have been sent into the world to change it for God in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
May we worship Him in confidence knowing He goes before and with us to accomplish this good work.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18, ESV
We know we are freed from God’s wrath, but do we still give in to fear of what others think of us? Do we love God and them enough to share the truth of the gospel, fearing God’s disapproval more than theirs?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26, ESV
No one wants to die. It is our God who takes away the fear and permanence of death if we believe and trust in Him.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV
We can be childish in our reactions to problems and our own sinfulness. Instead, we should take responsibility for our own sin and trust God to handle our forgiveness and problems we face, eing ready to stand for and proclaim truth.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3, ESV
Our sin has spoiled this world, and it makes life hard.
But God has a plan, and we can trust that He has it all under control.
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 59:16, ESV
God can handle anything in His sovereignty over everything. We can trust Him, whether this life going well or we are at our wits’ end from fear, frustration, or pain.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Isaiah 41:13, ESV
God knows what He is doing, and He invites us into His plan through His Son. We should have no reason to fear, knowing we are His in Christ.
a simple man of God 