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Fear

Trust in God

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"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"                                                                                                                                                  Psalms 56:3-4

David had unwisely placed himself in a situation that intensified his fear: not only was Saul seeking his life, but Achish and the officials of Gath were also considering what to do with him. David confronted his fear with unwavering trust in the LORD and by praising the LORD for the reliability of His Word. Years earlier, God had chosen and secretly anointed David to be Israel’s future king. Now, David was buoyed by the confidence that God would fulfill that which He had promised. Secure in God’s sovereign plan for his life, David determined that he would not fear what mortal man could do to him. No human being could overrule God’s purpose for his life.

Trusting in the Lord like David did can eliminate any fear you have. Praising God and relying on His Word produces resilience and trust in God that will give you confidence that His ultimate purposes for your life will prevail even in the state of fearing particular outcomes.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom

Study Questions

  • What can you do to praise God amidst fear?

  • Do you believe God’s purposes are good?

  • Resilience and trust in God’s purposes takes intentionality. Be intentional with going before God this week in prayer. Pray that he would change your fears into praises.

Other Verses: Hebrews 13:6; Psalms 100:1-5

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Through the Darkest Valley

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"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."                                                                                                                                                                             Psalms 23:4

Some scholars think the valley of the shadow of death was the name of an actual valley, an extremely dangerous one, through which shepherds and their flocks were forced to cross. Valleys are symbols of the darkest times of life. The valley of the shadow of death speaks of life’s gravest circumstances, fearful occasions when death is a real possibility. David testified that he was not afraid to walk through life’s darkest valleys. Although he was defenseless in himself, he was not alone in the peril: his Shepherd was with him. The LORD would protect him and keep him close to His side. David was comforted— turned from fear and terror—because his Shepherd was skillfully armed with His rod and His staff.

David was fearless in the valley because he knew his Shepherd would protect him from all deadly threats, including his own waywardness. His Shepherd would keep him close to His side in the darkness and would be with him through every step until he passed safely through to the light on the other side.

Study Questions

  • Are you walking through some sort of valley right now? Have you sought comfort from God?

  • Do you trust that your Father has you close to his side and that you are protected by him always?

  • Do you see the light on the other side of your current dark time or fear?

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Strong and Courageous in The Lord

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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”                                                                                                       Joshua 1:9

 

We must be strong and courageous as we march through life. Fear and discouragement can be conquered only as we are strong and courageous. God is with us, and He will never leave nor forsake us. This is His promise to us just as it was to Joshua. His unfailing presence is always with us wherever we go. Therefore, we must stand strong and courageous against all the enemies, trials, and temptations that confront us. No matter how many crushing problems, tough situations, or difficult people we face—no matter how many lustful temptations or terrifying trials we face— God is right there with us. God will deliver us and give us victory over the enemy that confronts us. We must stand strong and courageous, conquering all opposition and fulfilling our task for the LORD.

Study Questions

  • It’s not always easy to be strong and courageous, how can you build up a heart full of courage and strength?

  • Are you confident in the promise that God’s unfailing presence is always with you?

  • Know that it is okay to be weak at times; God doesn’t expect us to be strong and courageous at all times. God can use our weaker moments to ultimately grow us in courage and strength to bring Him glory and bring rest to our fears.

 

Other Verses: Ephesians 6:10-13; 2 Chronicles 15:7; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Timothy 2:1

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Seeking Christ In Light of Our Fears

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           I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.                                           Psalms 34:4

David had already experienced a number of terrors in his young life: a lion, a bear, and a giant pagan warrior. Now, the jealous, unstable king of his own nation was pursuing him. Most recently, he had foolishly fled into enemy territory, where he found himself staring straight into the eyes of Gath’s king and his guards. In each of these terrifying circumstances, David’s life was on the line. Gripped by the gravity of the situation at hand, David sought the LORD, earnestly asking Him for His guidance and protection. In every case, God heard and answered by giving him strength and guidance. The LORD had delivered David from these dangers by empowering him to fight his enemy or by showing him how to escape.

You may not being going against a lion, bear or giant pagan warrior. Your fears may be more internal. You may be battling your fears of certain cultural pressures, fearing failure or incompetence, or even the fear of committing to something. With David, his eyes that were darkened with doom suddenly sparkled with courage, hope, and joy. When seeking Christ in light of your fears, he can change those fears from a crippling anxiousness into courage, hope, and joy.

Study Questions

  • Are you seeking Christ in the midst of your fears?
  • What does it look like for you to seek Christ while also battling internal or external fears?
  • Christ wants to lift you from the burden of carrying your fears all by yourself. He wants to guide you and protect you. Discover what it looks like for you to release your fears to God, and for him to change those fears into courage, hope, and joy.

Download a free PDF from The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible: Psalms 1-41 to continue your study on this verse and section.



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Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

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There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

Fear causes anxiety, dread, alarm, fright, panic, and terror. It causes all kinds of unpleasant emotions, phobias, neurosis, and even the more serious psychotic disorders. The torment of fear is one of the worst problems faced by humans. Fear means that a person is not made perfect in love.

  • The person is not fully grasping (perfected) the love and care of God for them.
  • The person is not loving other people like they should; they are not growing more and more in love. Their eyes are upon themselves, not upon God and others like they should be.

In summary, fear can be driven out only by the perfect love of God. The more we know of God’s love and care and the more we love other people, the more fear is conquered in our lives. The reason is clearly seen in the promises of God. God loves us so much that He will take care of us through all the trials and temptations of life, no matter what they are.

Study Questions

  • Are you grasping the love and care God has for you?
  • What does it look like for you to love other people?
  • Do you believe that if you loved other people more and more, that your fears could be conquered?
  • Take time to pray for the Lord’s love to overflow out of you; that you would grow more and more in love. Pray for the strength to love even the hardest of people.

God’s Promises

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So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.                                                                                                                              Isaiah 41:10

God assured His people that He would protect them in the here and now, in the present distress they were experiencing. No doubt God’s promise of freeing His people from the coming captivity was very encouraging, especially to the true believers who were to endure the Babylonian captivity. But they needed far more than just a distant, future hope of deliverance. Righteous believers needed to know that God was with them day by day in their present painful circumstances. So God met their need and gave them a most wonderful promise: whether in the present or in the future and in whatever circumstances, God’s people were not to fear. Three reasons are given why righteous believers should not be anxious or afraid.

First, God’s people were not to fear because He Himself would be with them. He would strengthen and help them and uphold them with His right hand—His righteous, victorious hand.

Second, God’s people were not to fear because He would hold their right hands and help them as they faced their enemies (v.13). Note the close relationship being stressed here: the LORD tells righteous believers that He is “your God” and that He will take “hold of your right hand.” He will “help you.” Meditating upon this promise should give enormous encouragement to believers who are facing oppression and hardships.

Third, God’s people were not to fear because He was their Redeemer (v.14). In the present Scripture, the LORD calls Himself the Redeemer, the family protector of His people. As their Redeemer, He promises to help them.

Study Questions

  • Do you find assurance in God’s promises?
  • Do these promises alleviate your fears?
  • What does it look like for you to give your fears over to God?

Download a free PDF of this section of Isaiah in The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible to continue your study.



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