Fear Not!

As Christians we do not need to live in constant fear in assumption that something terrible may happen to us. For nothing can happen to us except our heavenly Father wills it and maybe,  just maybe God doesn't even permit those fears we have in our lifetime,  but we cannot know until the moment comes (or never comes),  So we must live in the confidence of God's protection everyday, every moment of our lives. 

"Fear not" is written in the bible 365 times. That means at all times, everyday of our lives we are to live without fear. 

Sometimes in our lives we face challenges that are so unpleasant that at that moment it is difficult to believe that God has permitted such trial to come our way. Let us refer to Job's story (Job 1vs. 12),  here God gives satan permission to try job.  Also in Luke 4: 14-31 when Jesus preached in Nazareth and was almost pushed over a cliff but passed right through the crowd because His time had not yet come, in other words God had not yet permitted it. 

The bible constantly reassures us that God is with us,  that God never leaves us and He will never forsake us, so my dear friends in Christ,  why live in fear? 

Now you know that nothing ever happens to you without HIS consent and that HE doesn't want you to live in fear,  will you obey HIM? Will you live in the confidence of God's protection and in courage to face life's challenges knowing that God is with you? 

Here are 10 Scriptural refrences to the promise that God will never forsake or abandon you and I :

Deuteronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy 31:8

Joshua 1:5

1Kings 8:57

1Chronicles 28:20

Psalms 37:28

Psalms 94:14

Isaiah 42:16

Hebrews 13:5. 

........... We were made to be courageous! 

Peace, Love & Joy. 

Ms'Lin.

What does it mean to have the fear of God?"

"What does it mean to have the fear of God?" 

After reading 2Corinthians 7:1;  "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,  perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

I realized that holiness could be perfected in the "fear of God",  I wanted to know what it truly means to have "the fear of God". 

Answer: 

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). 

For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire."

This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. 

True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”                The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him. Some redefine the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. 

A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him. 

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. 

The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe. 

 

Recommended Resources: Knowing God by J.I. Packer and Logos Bible Software. 

Writers Credit: www.gotquestions.org

I was glad to have read this and I am sure you would be too! 

Peace,  Love & Joy! 

Mis' Lin.