How to Face Fear Faithfully – Part One

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41: 10

Jesus wants to calm the troubled soul. Eighty times in the Bible God says to His people, “Fear not.” To this day some seem not to have received the message. Or having received it, they appear to argue with it with such lines as, “But God, you don’t understand how bad things are.” Or, “God, things are worse than they have ever been!” We often inventory the difficulties for God.

It is the economy, my health, my job or lack of one, my family, the social condition, the world situation, etc.

Reality would snatch us up by the nape of the neck and remind us of a line from the 23rd Psalm most of us could quote from childhood: “I will fear no evil.” Look that one up and underscore in your mind, if not on the page, the little two letter word N O. I will fear N O evil.

Faith is merely confidence in God’s character. It is the ability to believe God means what He says and has the capacity to do what He promised. Faith and belief are one. The most commonly used word in the world is a Hebrew word. It is used in many languages. It is the word “amen.” It is the word for belief. By concluding our prayers with it, we are affirming, “Lord, I believe.”

The nation watched from here in Atlanta during the recent bowl season as East Carolina made one of the most remarkable comebacks of the year. The theme of the team was captured in many banners of the fans: “I believe.”  It inspired confidence and improved capacity.

In an important game the Denver Broncos were down by one point with two minutes to go and 98 yards between them and the goal line, the thought quarterback John Elway said came to him was, “We got ‘em right where we want them.” That belief inspired a great victory.

We can live with the confidence, “Lord, you got me right where you want me.”

Faith grows in the face of obstacles. Faith isn’t related to doing spectacular things. It is simply obedience to a spectacular God.

Doubt is an attack on God’s character. Remember, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11: 6). Today and every day put your faith in Him and thereby please Him. He’s got you right where He wants to evidence His love.