Fear: February 5, 2010

February 5. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY 5, 2010

FEAR

DEFINITION:

Anticipation of misfortune or pain; the state of being afraid; something dreaded; anxiety; reverent awe of God.

SCRIPTURE:

“I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We know that we have discussed the word FEAR before, but we are hearing from many that read our devotionals that fear is a major concern in their lives, especially among children today.

The scriptures have many references to fear. In Genesis 15:1 it reads that we are not to be afraid because God is our shield and the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 34:4 that he sought the Lord and He delivered him from all his fears.

Fear is something that we never really overcome. A recent nationwide survey taken here in America from children between the ages of seven and eleven showed that over two-thirds said they were scared because of bad things that happen in their neighborhood. Over one-third of these children were afraid that if they went outside alone, they would be attacked. The survey also concluded that children who watch over four hours of television a day are twice as likely to be fearful then their peers who watch much less.

It is not only children that have fear because many doctors will tell you that stress caused by fear is greatly affecting the nation’s health. We have shared with you in the past the results of a survey among doctors, that worry causes close to 65% of their patient’s sickness.

Let us remind you again. There are three fears that can keep you from knowing the Lord and doing His will. There is the fear that our sins are too big for God, the fear that you cannot live up to God’s standards, and the fear that you cannot obey God’s Word. Please remember that these three fears, if you do not overcome them, may condemn you to an eternal life in hell.

If you are facing the fear of losing a job, a broken marriage, children’s concerns, financial crisis or whatever, it is time to set those fears aside and read the verse above from Psalm 34:4 and the verse in Psalms 46:1-2 that reads, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in a time of trouble.” Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear. (Luke 12:32) God has not promised us a life without stressful and fearful situations, but He has promised to be with us and help us deal with those times of fear and anxiety.

You cannot have faith in God, trust God and be fearful at the same time. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (I John 4:18) John describes God’s love as perfect and that His love casts out fear. God’s love is perfect because He loves us in spite of our sin and knows our every need. From the time of Adam and Eve’s sin, He knew that all mankind would need to be saved from the judgment to come when all of us must appear before Christ and held accountable for our sins.

Because of God’s perfect love He died on the cross for all of our sins. For those of us who have accepted Him as Savior, we need not fear the judgment seat of Christ’s on judgment day. Our faith in God’s perfect love enables us to overcome the fears we face in life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.

“Being confident of this very thing that He that has begun a good work in me shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

PRAYER:

Help me today to conquer every fear that I may face in my life. Give me the desire to seek You first and to lay at Your feet every fear that comes my way.