FEAR NOT!

The way of deliverance from fear

(Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:1-14)

This study will make a wide appeal, for who is there who has not at some time or another experienced this gripping thing called Fear?! Indeed, some people are constantly dominated by it. David knew something of it, though from Psalm 34:4 we discover that it is possible for a man who is full of fear to be delivered from it completely.

Even though man has achieved so much in the area of science and technology he is still subject to all the frailties common to mankind. He has to overcome sin, he knows what sorrow is, he is beset by worry, he is threatened by anxiety, he knows what depression is, and one of his biggest enemies is fear. Is it God's will that His children should be dogged and overwhelmed by this dread monster called Fear? No, it is not His will, and it is gloriously possible to be released and delivered from all our fears - see what Psalm 27:1 tells us.

There are two kinds of fear in human experience, the normal and the abnormal, the good and the bad. A surgeon fears to harm his patient, a pilot takes care in his handling of his aircraft as he fears to harm his passengers through an accident , etc. However, in this study we are concentrating upon the bad kind of fear, the fear from which we need to be delivered, and from which we may be delivered. Notice in the Bible how frequently the Lord says "Fear not !", or "Be strong and of a good courage!" As we read His Word we repeatedly hear God saying to us, "Don't be afraid" ~ look up Genesis 26:24;Deuteronomy 31:8; Joshua l: 9;Psalm 46:2: Isaiah 35:4;41:10 and 13; Isaiah 43:1; etc.

THE KIND OF FEARS WHICH BESET US

There are general fears - as Luke 21:26 tells us, and this is very true of today. But there are particular fears, which may have to do with the past, the present or the future. Consider the following :-

I. The fear of failure: Anyone who is conscientious or ambitious in the right sense,or who has achieved any success at all, must experience the temptation to fear lest he should fail, and this can be a very devastating fear.

2. The fear of responsibility: We may be ambitious and yet fear the very responsibility which the achievement of our ambition may thrust upon us.

3. The fear of danger and harm: Some people are afraid of thunderstorms or of travelling by sea or air. Sometimes their fear arises from the fact that they have known someone to be hurt by lightning or to have lost their lives in the air or on the sea.

4. The fear of some "skeleton in the cupboard": Many people fear that some past sin or indiscretion will "find them out".

5. The fear of the future: Many who are getting old become fearful as to how they will be able to live on their small pensions or savings, or are fearful of being dependent upon others, or are fearful of what will happen when their children leave them.

6. The fear of mental disorders or physical disease: This is a very real fear to many people, even among God's children. Perhaps someone they know has been afflicted in this way, and this has instilled a fear into then.

7. The fear of death: This fear is also common among God's children, but - look up Hebrews 2:15.

2. WHAT FEAR DOES TO US

Fear makes us unhappy and brings us into bondage, and its effects are always dissipating and destructive.

1. Fear undermines the health. If we allow fear to grip us we become tense and our emotions are upset - see what Job 4:14-15 tells us about this.

Many Christians are iII through fear and anxiety; but they need not remain iII.

2. Fear breaks down the nervous system and affects the bodily functions. Fear can take our healthy appetite from us, it can thoroughly disorganise our digestive system, and it can cause us to be plagued by rheumatism, sciatica and kindred complaints.

3.Fear can blotch the complexion. Did you know that? It is true!

4.Fear paralyses the will. When fear grips us our will-power is crippled.

5.Fear robs us of sleep. Is this not true also? We all know something of this in measure.

6.Fear clouds the mind. When we are afraid, our mental, powers are affected and it is

difficult to think clearly.

7.Fear makes us spiritual failures. When fear comes in, joy, peace, power poise and testimony go out, for a fearful Christian is a defeated and a failing Christian.

3. HOW WE CAN GET RID OF FEAR

If we are fearful what must we do ? Here are some suggestions:-

1. Settle it once and for all that it is the will of God for you to be free from your fears. Does the Lord want you, His child, to be fearful, afraid and petrified all your life ? Of course not!-look up Mark 4:35-41, and particularly notice verse 40.
2. Be sure you really want to be free from your fears. This may seem strange but some people do not want to lose their fears. They are the people who "enjoy bad health" , and their fears offer to them a form of escape from facing up to the responsibilities of life. Ponder the question asked in John 5:6. The Lord is able to deliver you from all your fears. Are you really willing that He should do it ?
3. Make an honest admission of your fears. Do not attempt to hide them;drag them out and recognize them for what they are - ugly fears which must be dealt with. Write them down and look at them and if it will help then tell someone about them. In any case, do not hide from your fears, or you will be fearing your fears. Ask God definitely to banish your fears, and trust Him to do it. Follow the example of the psalmist in Psalm 34:4. Take your fears to the, Mercy Seat and leave them there. Have you ever really done that ?
4. Cultivate the consciousness of the Lord's presence. Fear cannot live in the realized, enjoyed presence of Christ. Look up Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 43:5. How can we be fearful if the Lord is with us? - Look up Matthew 14:22-33, and particularly notice verses 26-27.
5. Dwell deeply in the Word of God. See what Hebrews13:5-6 tells us - He hath said …..so that we may boldly say ..." Say What ?"…. I will not fear" - and God has said very much in His Word that should lead us to say, "I will not fear !"Look up His promises and meditate upon them see Colossians 3:16.
6. Forget your fears and praise the Lord. The moment you begin to praise the Lord fear will begin to shrink and to shrivel, and as you go on praising Him, the One Who is waiting and willing and wanting to deliver you from your fears, you will get the victory - look-up Isaiah 12:2-4.

In conclusion, meditate upon this: If this study is God's special word to you because fear is such a big enemy in your life, then give yourself wholeheartedly to it until you are able to say confidently what the psalmist said in Psalm 56:3. Then you will know the way of deliverance from fear.

For counsel/ help: aocc@vsnl.com