TOPIC - Freedom from Fear
BIBLE TEXT - I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. - Psalm 34:4-5
These verses tell us that although fear is a normal, human reaction to danger or crisis, God has an antidote for our fear. We may fear death, failure, or people. We may be frightened about taking a new step, fearful of suffering, or anxious about what may happen tomorrow. Whatever the circumstances, we don’t have to be ashamed of being afraid or stuff our fears down inside and try to look brave. The very fear that plagues us can cause us to press into God’s presence.
He invites us to pray to him and lay down our fears instead of being paralyzed by them, to fear and revere him (David mentions this fifteen times in Psalm 34) instead of anything or anyone else. An amazing thing happens when we give God our fears: in return for our fears he infuses us with faith, hope, and love.
God's Word Assures Us:
Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
[3] For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
PRAYER
LORD, I give you all my fears today and look to you for help. Do a deep work in my heart concerning those things that strike fear in me. I know that your perfect love will cast out all my fears. Thank you for your promise to answer me when I call to you, to free me from fear and shame, and to make me radiant with joy.
INSIGHT
Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable—and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God.
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