No Fear?

Therefore we will not fear… (Psalm 46:2)

Fear must be conquered through courage.

The man who says he is not afraid at all may not have understood the situation. The one who understands the real danger of his circumstances but chooses faith over fear, dedication to duty over dereliction of responsibility, him we can call a courageous man.

Psalm 46 begins with the declaration of the greatness of God, the reality of his steadfastness and power. We must begin there, taking this truth to our hearts.

The number of things that can go against in any situation is impossible to predict. Perhaps our enemies are smarter, perhaps our cause is “on the wrong side of history,” perhaps it is simply our time to die. We may look at these things and feel overwhelmed. But if we can begin with who God is and with the faith that he is for us, then we can say:

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them [against us]. (2 Kings 6:16)

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

How did Christ handle his challenges? How do mature Christians handle the challenges they face?

The first trait of Christ we are drawn to, in addition to his faith in the greatness of God, was his total commitment to the plan and purpose of God. “I have come to do your will, O God” (Heb. 10:9). This requires for us a complete surrender of our plans to him, to put nothing of a selfish agenda before God. To be utterly committed to the glory of God, to the expansion of his kingdom, to the salvation of people, to the maturity of Christians. Christ came to serve, not to be served.

His commitment allowed him to focus intently on the purpose of God in the details of life, and with individuals, and not worry about other things, especially not his own agenda. Even at his crucifixion he had time for people, speaking to women on on the way to his crucifixion, to a repentant thief and to a disciple while he hung there. When circumstances seem overwhelming we are likely to be taking on responsibilities that are beyond us. We simply need to take the next step, do the next thing, love the next person, and leave all of the other details to God.

My say-so is to be built on God’s say-so. God says — “I will never leave thee,” then I can with good courage say — “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear — “ I will not be haunted by apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s say-so. I will be full of courage, like a child “bucking himself up” to reach the standard his father wants. (Oswald Chambers)