PSALM 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah.
THEME OF THE DAY. DEALING WITH OUR FEARS. Our worlds exist in the clutches of fear. Yes, our worlds. The one we collectively share by living together in our culture, and the world of our own private experience. Both are confronted, and often controlled by the paralyzing force of fear. It could be fear of people; fear of situations; fear of circumstances; fear of the unknown, and the list goes on and on when it comes to the many fears that exist. And the chief fear is death. This is a choice tool of the devil. The writer of Hebrews states that “Christ Himself partook of the flesh and blood that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Yet, God does not desire for His children to live in fear. Often we are commanded not to fear. And when God gives a command, He also provides the strength and direction to obey the command. Beloved, we don’t have to live in the grips of fear. Like all sin, the believer has been delivered from the dominion of sin, and thus is able to live above it, even fear (Romans 6:14). So, how may we make the truth of our deliverance from fear a daily reality when confronted with fear? Three things from today’s scripture.
First, we learn to overcome fear when we remember our God is near – always – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”. Often when a fearful circumstance or situation suddenly comes upon us, we immediately focus on the feelings of dread, terror, and “what if”. As we do, we quickly abandon our theology and forget God is still near us. Remember, the presence of God in our lives does not rely upon our feeling the presence of God in our lives. Faith trumps feelings. Faith says, “Though I don’t feel God is my very present help in trouble”, I believe He is my very present help in trouble.” As fearful things come into our lives, talk down those painful emotions within by exercising faith in the God who is near. Ironically, it is by doing this, instead of living by feelings, that true feelings of peace, confidence and rest come upon the soul. Feelings don’t lead us to faith. Faith leads us to feelings.
Next, remember that God is our place of safety in the storms of fear – “God is our refuge.” And how is He our refuge? It is found in His sovereignty. Friends, this situation, circumstance, or relationship that is tempting us to “crawl up in a corner and hide” due to fear, did not just “happen”. It was sent by our God who is sovereign over all things, and orchestrates all things for His glory and our good. When the temptation to fear comes, immediately change it to an opportunity to exercise faith in the God who sent this to develop our faith. Even thank Him for what is happening and go from paralyzing fear to praising faith.
A third help in overcoming fear is to cling to our own inadequacy in dealing with fear. Too often, when that circumstance, situation, or relationship tempting us to fear comes upon us, we attempt to take control and change whatever is causing the fear. That is what control people do and that is what our remaining sin prompts us to do. God will put us in fearful situations that are “over our heads” so that we will learn that “God is our refuge and strength.” We are actually our strongest when we know our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Fear. It is real but it is also something we can overcome in all its forms. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear . . .
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your constant Presence, loving Presence, in my life.”
QUOTE: “God with us, not sometime, but all the time and that for all eternity.”