Freedom From Fear

February 7, 2012

But now, this is what the LORD says he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I Have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give nations in exchange for you, and peoples in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

This is a comforting passage that encourages believers not to fear even in difficult times. Today I want to a closer look fear.

February 5, 2012
Isaiah 43: 1-7, Freedom From Fear
Mary Scheer, Brewster Baptist Church

Freedom From Fear from BBC Staff on Vimeo.

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You don’t have to look much farther than the news to be reminded of a list of topics that can cause fear.

We all have the capacity to fear. It serves a purpose in keeping us safe by alerting us to danger so we can avoid it. Someone allergic to bee stings may have a fear of bees for a good reason. However, fear can also be triggered when there is no real danger. Fear can be something we learn and repeat.

I have a friend whose mother was so afraid of spiders that if she saw a spider when she was home alone with her young children, she would take them out of the room that the spider was in, close the door and put a towel under it until her husband could get home and find and kill the spider, even insisting he show her the corps. When my friend grew up she was so entrenched in this fear that she repeated the pattern with her own family.

I want to be clear that when I talk about fear, I am not talking about fears or phobias that are triggered by issues that require medical assistance.

I’m talking about the human experience of fear, the affect it can have on us and how we can be free from it.

Webster’s dictionary defines fear as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. It’s a response to a real or perceived threat.

Fear can be healthy and helpful or it can be debilitating and destructive.

When I was growing up, we had a dog that used to hide under the bed during a thunderstorm because she was afraid.

After sinning in the Garden of Eden, Genesis says that Adam hid when he heard God coming because he was afraid. (Gen. 3:10)

After the Angel of the Lord told Abraham and Sarah they were going to have a baby in their old age, Sarah laughed, then when questioned about it she lied because she was afraid. (Gen 18: 14-16)

Jacob ran away from his brother Esau because he was afraid he would try to get revenge for something he had done to him. (Gen 32:11)

Abraham was afraid King Abimelech would kill him to get to Sarah, so he lied about being married to her and said she was his sister. (Gen. 26:7

Israel was afraid of going to war (2 Chron. 20:16-17). Gideon objected to the call to lead Israel into battle because he was afraid he was too young and inexperienced. (Judges 6:23)

Peter denied knowing Jesus because he was afraid of the reaction of the crowd. (Mt 27:74)

But before that day, there was another day When Peter’s fear almost got the best of him.

One day while out and about with his disciples walking along a lake, Jesus had them get into a boat and told them to go to the other side of the lake and wait for him. After they headed out, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land. Suddenly a storm developed and the wind was so strong that it began to pound and rock the boat back and forth. Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. “it’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But, Jesus said to them, “don’t be afraid, it’s me Jesus.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. So, Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves (another version says when he considered the wind and the waves, he stopped seeing Jesus and saw the threat) and became afraid and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (from Mt 14: 22-33 TNIV)

And that wasn’t the only time they had trouble on the lake.

On another day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Jesus, don’t you care that we’re about to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you have no faith? In Luke’s version he says, “Where is your faith?” (from Mk 8: 22-25)

Paul Tillich said, “fear is the absence of faith.” Yet in both of these stories they had enough faith to reach out for Jesus, but it was after their hearts were consumed by fear.

Right from the Garden of Eden, fear caused people to hide, lie, run away and behave in ways that creates more issues for them.

Jack Foley said fear is False Evidence Appearing As Real.

I boarded a plane one time in the winter going from Chicago to New York. As we sat on the runway, they had to de-ice the wings, and then there was this steam or something that came out of the vents above us, then the lights went out, then there was this horrible sound and all those things together convinced me that the plane was broken. I fully expected them to get us off the plane. But no, we took off a few minutes later. The evidence I had was false.

According to the evidence the disciples were looking at (what with their boat sinking and all) they believed they were going to drown.

Several disciples were fishermen, they knew all about the dangers of the lake. It doesn’t take a Professional fisherman to realize you’re in trouble when your boat is so full of water that it’s about to capsize. That’s where they were. With the wind whipping, the boat rocking and the waves washing over the sides and they could only bail water so fast. When they realized they were losing the battle and were sinking, they went looking for Jesus and found him asleep on a pillow under the hull. When they woke him up saying, “don’t you care if we die?” He said, where is your faith?

Maybe there faith was in their boat (these boats will never sink!) or their expertise and professionalism, or their excellent track record, or the calm seas that had been forecasted…

I’m sure the folks who booked their vacation on the cruise ship that went down in Italy had faith in many of the same things!

His question probed deeper into their faith in his ability to care for them?

The disciples got a close up look at their faith that day when they were confronted by fear.

Yahoo readers voted on their fears and the top ten were:

1. SPIDERS. (arachnophobia)
2. RATS. (musophobia)
3. DEATH. (necrophobia)
4. HEIGHTS. (acrophobia)
5. FLYING IN AN AEROPLANE. (aerophobia)
6. PUBLIC SPEAKING. (sociophobia)
7. BRONTOPHOBIA (fear of storms)
8. FEAR OF OPEN SPACES. (agoraphobia)
9. FEAR OF CONFINED SPACES. (claustrophobia)
10. FEAR OF VOMITING. (emetophobia)

What are you afraid of? Is there anything in your life today that’s causing you fear? Is there anything that keeps you up at night?

Some folks are afraid of making a bad decision, some are afraid of leaving home, or moving, or taking a new job, or losing a job, or quitting a job they hate, some are afraid they will never get married, some are afraid to get married, some are afraid they won’t achieve their dreams, others fear dreaming at all, some are afraid of what people think of them, some are afraid of what they think of themselves.

Fear perpetuates fear. Job said, “the thing that I greatly feared has come upon me. What I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25)

There is a German Proverb that says that, “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.”

The Bible has a lot to say about fear because a fearful heart:

can distort the truth about God’s care for us
can make us shrink back from God
can make us sick and rob us of faith
Fear can cause a vacuum of unbelief!

The good news is, we don’t have to be fearful, we can have freedom from fear!

The Bible says, one of the best paths to freedom from fear, is in the fear of the Lord.

When the Bible talks about fearing the Lord, it means to stand in awe of, to revere, honor, respect, to be astonished and filled with awe, to be afraid or terrified.

Every time people came in contact with the Angel of the Lord, they fainted as though dead. The Angel always began by reassuring the one they were speaking to saying, “fear not, or don’t be afraid.”

Sometimes I think we over emphasize the gentle, approachable nature of God and minimize the terrifying, awesome splendor of his majesty!

Some of the scriptures about the “fear the Lord” are directive, some are promises, and some are instructive. All of them are meant for all people throughout the generations.

I want us to hear a few from each category.

Here are a few directives:

“Fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness.” (Josh. 24:14)
“Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Sam. 12:24)
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.” (Ps. 33:8)
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” (Prov. 3:7)
“Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.” (Ps. 2:11)
“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Ps. 86:11)

Some scriptures on fear encourage Action & Affirmation:

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (Ps 27:3)
“Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.” (Ps. 118:4)
“You who fear him, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.” (Ps 115:11)
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” (Ps 112:7)

The majority of the scriptures on fear include Promises:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil….” (Ps. 23:4)
“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of all on those who take refuge in you.” (Ps. 31:19)
“then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:5)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Ps 103:17)

And then there are scriptures on fear where God talks about what he will do for those who fear him; they are pretty specific.

“Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Ps. 24:9)
“Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.” (Ps. 25:12)
“The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” (Ps. 25:14)
He watches us, “The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Ps 33:18)
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Ps 34:7)
“Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.” (Ps. 85:9)
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” (Ps 103:11)
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” (Ps 103:13)
“He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” (Ps 111:5)
“Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands.” (Ps 112:1)
“Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.” (Ps 112:8)
“He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” (Ps 145:19)
“He delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Ps 147:11)

King David said, “I sought the Lord and he delivered me from all my fears.” (that word “all” literally means storehouse or barn) he will deliver us from our storehouse of fears. (Ps 34:4)

These scriptures give us a way to seek God, they build faith, trust and love.

And because of this love, John said, “There is no fear in love, because perfect love casts our fear.: (1 Jn 4:18)

This is a beautiful collection of blessings assure us the Lord will provide for those who fear him; he will tell them which way they should go; he will watch over them and surround them with unfailing love, love that is as high as the heavens are above the earth; he will save and deliver them; he will have compassion on them; he will be with their children’s children; he will bless them; he will be their help and shield; he will satisfy their desires; hear their cry, save them and delight them.

May these great words of promise bless you today and give you a message of hope to share with others when life gets scary.

LET’S PRAY:

Dear Lord, thank you for having stories in the Bible that illustrate the real issues we all face. Thank you for your promises and words of hope. Lord, I pray for anyone who is dealing with something that is causing them fear today. Please lift the burden from them, ease anxious hearts and calm worried minds. Help us to remember your promise to be near those who trust in you and to walk with us through the dangers in this life so that we are not alone. Help us to focus our heart so closely on you that we are overcome by the brilliant light in your presence and lose sight of the thing we fear. In Jesus name. Amen.

BLESSING: (from Ecc & Isaiah)

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of every human being.” (Ecc. 12:13) “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.” “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.” (Isa. 41: 9-14)

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