I turned on the radio this morning and the program began playing a recording of the Las Vegas shooting. Immediately, I turned it off. Why? Because listening to the playback brings fear and fear’s companion is torment. Satan knows it and that’s why he loves fear. I’m telling you, you will not make it in the end times if you keep giving into fear. You can’t let it in the door of your heart. Take it captive to the obedience of Christ.
In the Bible’s book of “Numbers,” 12 men were sent out to spy out the promised land – note that the land had been promised to the Israelites just like God promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. Ten were fearful and tried to convince the others in the camp of the Israelites to be fearful as well. Two men didn’t give into the fear and said they could take the land because God “is with us.” Joshua and Caleb knew God would give them what He promised them.
Fear has torment. When fear tries to steal our faith, we have the tendency to start acting like God is no longer with us, that we need to take matters into our hands. Fear does this to us, it always lies to us. It’s why God tells us, over and over again in His Word to fear not.
God commands us to stay in faith, to act like He’s still with us. It’s why He tells us to “look up” when these things (fearful events that overwhelm the unsaved who don’t know they can have “faith” in God) take place. Personally, to end fear’s torment, to break its grip on my life, I had to stop practicing fear by practicing faith in God and what His Word says. I had to stop talking and thinking fearful words and thoughts. We must all do the same.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:5
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:28
Be still, and know that I am God:
Psalm 46:10a
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a
30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
32 And they brought up an evil report…
6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
Numbers 13:30-32; Numbers 14:6-9
Joshua and Caleb believed God. Practice faith, and teach others to do the same. Put an end to fear’s torment by looking up. Let (it’s up to each of us to guard our own heart) the peace of God reign in your heart.
“The Lord is with us!”
God bless,
Mark