No More Fear

Out of Charles H. Spurgeon's book, Morning By Morning, he writes,

"God has said"

Heb. 13:5

If we can grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand.  All doubts will be slain by this two-edged sword.  Fear will be pierced with a fatal wound by this arrow from the bow of God's covenant.  The distresses of life and the pangs of death, the corruptions within and the snares without, the trials from above and the temptations from below, will all seem like light afflictions when we stand by faith in the strength of "God has said."  Whether for delight in our tranquility, or for strength in our conflict, "He has said" must be our daily resort.  This may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures.  There may be a promise in the Word that would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort.  There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacy of Scripture, and yet you may remain sick unless you examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "God has said."  Besides reading the Bible, shouldn't you store in your memory the rich promises of God?  If you can recall the sayings of great people, and quote the words of popular songs, shouldn't your knowledge of the words of God be extensive, so that you can quote them readily when you need to solve a difficulty or overthrow a doubt?  Since "God has said" is the source of all wisdom and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as "a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

My daughter, Jenny's, favorite verse is, "In the beginning God," from Genesis 1:1.  Now, to read "God has said" puts another whole meaning to life.  This is where it all starts, "In the beginning God" and then to add "God has said."  Wow!  Sometimes that is what I need.  Nothing else needs said, because He already did.

When fear takes hold, let us remember, "God has said."  Here are other words of His to remind us He is in control.  He will hold us in His arms, and carry us through.

"Say to those with anxious heart,

'Take courage, fear not.'"

Isaiah 35:4a

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest,

any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

Heb. 4:1

We know there is nothing to fear IN God, because "He has said," and that is all we need.  

I pray, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."  John 15:27

Always Experiencing Him,

Jody

Overcoming Fear

Some days are filled with fear.  It may be by our own making, it may be Satan toying with us, but whatever the reason, fear can take hold and change the way God desires for us to live.  We must fight back with God's Word.  I had been writing some Scriptures down dealing with fear, when I read out of The Quotable Oswald Chambers.  He said, 

"The truth is we have nothing to fear and nothing to overcome because He is all in all and we are more than conquerors through Him.  The recognition of this truth is not flattering to the worker's sense of heroics, but it is amazingly glorifying to the work of Christ." (from Approved Unto God)

His next quote was the one I had to read over and over, and I am continually going back to it and then to God's Word.  He spoke from Psalm 128:1, "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways."  Mr. Chambers said,

"The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.  'Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord;'  the writer to the Hebrews tells us to fear, lest haply there should be any promise of God's of which we come short (Hebrews 4:1).  (from The Highest Good-The Pilgrim's Song Book)

Fear took on a different meaning when I read this.  I like to think I have a "fear of the Lord," a healthy, reverent fear.  I know God loves, and He expects my surrendering to His will, my obedient heart, and yet I hold back...again. 

"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;"

Psalm 19:9

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; 

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; 

His praise endures forever."

Psalm 111:10

"The fear of man brings a snare,

But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted."

Prov. 29:25

"There is no fear in love;

but perfect love casts out fear,

because fear involves punishment,

and the one who fears is not perfected in love."

1 John 4:18

"The fear of the Lord prolongs life."

Prov. 10:27

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life;

Whom shall I dread?"

Psalm 27:1

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord,

she shall be praised."

Prov. 31:30

Slow down and meditate on His Word, God's wonderful love letter to us, and be blessed in fearing God and not man or what man can do.  Have a joyful day in the Lord!

Always Experiencing Him,

Jody