“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8)
A few weeks ago I quoted this brief statement from Charles Spurgeon – “Fear to fear”. Today I want you to consider the entire article from which it was taken. In times like these when so many are troubled by trials we need reminders such as this:
“Whenever fear comes in and makes us falter, we are in danger of falling into sin. Conceit is to be dreaded, but so is cowardice. “Dare to be a Daniel.” Our great Captain should be served by brave soldiers.
What a reason for bravery is here! God is with those who are with Him. God will never be away when the hour of struggle comes. Do they threaten you? Who are you that you should be afraid of a man that shall die? Will you lose your situation? Your God whom you serve will find bread and water for His servants. Can you not trust Him? Do they pour ridicule upon you? Will this break your bones or your heart? Bear it for Christ’s sake, and even rejoice because of it.
God is with the true, the just, the holy, to deliver them; and He will deliver you. Remember how Daniel came out of the lions’ den and the three holy children out of the furnace. Yours is not so desperate a case as theirs; but if it were, the Lord would bear you through and make you more than a conqueror. Fear to fear. Be afraid to be afraid. Your worst enemy is within your own bosom. Get to your knees and cry for help, and then rise up saying, ‘I will trust, and not be afraid.’ “
When God commands us to “fear not” He means what he says and we are duty bound to obey. Refusing to do so makes things worse – the opposite of what we want. Getting the comfort and courage you crave comes from confidence in the God you can trust. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
