I shared Matthew 14:27 with friends over the weekend. It's on the subject of fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
In red are Jesus’s words to HIS disciples.
What comes to my mind these days is the
subject of fear, and being afraid.
They say we are born with only
two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds, all the rest
is learned or conditioned fear. Scientists describe fear as an unpleasant emotion
caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone.
Today, many of us are living in
unprecedented times, where fear has suddenly taken a solid grip on society, and
our thoughts, words and actions are determined by our fears.
Just a few months ago no one would
ever have imagined that a tiny virus would shake the entire world, the rich and
the poor alike, and get people rethinking everything they thought they knew.
People actually fear for their
lives!
Did GOD want us
to live our lives in fear?
Truth is, HE commands us to fear and also forbids
us to fear.
- Fear
that is Commanded
- Fear
that is Forbidden
Here are a few verses of both types of fear:
What does it mean to fear the LORD?
To Honour and
Respect, to live in Awe of HIS power.
Job 28:28 - The fear of the Lord
- that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding
Proverbs 1:7-9 - The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline
Luke 12:4-5
‘I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill
the body and after that can do
no more. But I will show you whom
you should fear: fear him who, after your body
has been killed, has authority to throw
you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him”.
Fear of Man versus fear of GOD
Proverbs 29:25 -
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept
safe
Fear GOD
Isaiah 8:13
The Lord Almighty
is the one you are to regard as holy, HE is the one you are to fear,
HE is the one you are to dread.
Why we must not
fear death
Luke 9:23-27
Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants
to be my disciple must deny themselves
and take up their cross daily and follow
me. For whoever wants to save their life
will lose it, but whoever loses their
life for me will save it. What good is it for
someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very
self? Whoever
is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them
when he
comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy
angels.
How fear prevents us from speaking for Jesus
John 12:42-43
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But
because of
the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear
they would be
put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than
praise from God
Letting Jesus deal with our fears, and HIS assurance (highlighted)
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore, go
and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the
Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything
I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.”
Fear
can be overcome by Faith (Jesus walks on Water)
Matthew 14:22-32
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the
lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were
terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But
Jesus immediately said to them:
‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.
’Come,’ he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came
towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning
to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out
his hand and caught him.
‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’
Peter began to sink the moment he took
his eyes off Jesus and started focusing on the
waves around him.
I’ve learnt that in times like these, I
need to take my mind off all the human
distractions, fear, and negativity that our
sinking world has to offer via news and
social media and focus instead on Jesus!
Friends, we are all in the same boat, and I wish
you all Peace in these troubled times.
With love and prayers,
John