Fear Not: The Other Side of Fear
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To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 11
PRAYER
We have been walking through a series called fear not.
Looking at how fear is often a tool used by the evil one to steal away life. To cause us to walk in anxiety and doubt and keep us from a fulfilling life.
And so today there are a few things I think need to be clarified and I think will be helpful as we look at what it practically looks like to live at peace in the midst of many things that cause us to fear.
And I think todays text is especially helpful with the questions that I think might arise as we walk through this series.
And what my end goal is is this. I want us to realize that :
What we fear is often the means to our growth and maturity
ON THE OTHER SIDE of fear is an opportunity for growth and leaning in closer to Jesus
I. Not all FEAR is the same
a. fear that comes from wisdom
Since day one I have wanted my kids to have a healthy fear of strangers, sharp objects and hot surfaces
I want my
In our church community, I want us all to have a healthy fear of making exceptions to our faith, and giving space for the evil one to take up residence in our hearts and minds
Having a healthy fear or respect for heights is a good idea.
Having a healthy fear that bad choices for our body can cause sickness and death is a good thing.
I think young women should have a level of fear when they think about who they meet, where they meet them, and how quickly they give themselves over in relationship.
Those are good and healthy fears.
I would argue the the Spirit of God instils in us a healthy fear to guard our hearts and minds for God’ purposes in our lives.
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
Why does he cling to God’s testimonies?
The psalmist is fearing what life looks like outside of God’s law.
And so fear causing him to walk with God and in the life God has invited him into.
So there is fear that is healthy and right.
There is fear of God- which we will be talking about next week - a very misunderstood concept
That is not what the Bible is talking about.
When the Bible is speaking about fear it is talking about the kind of fear that says, because of the the unknowns, I cannot move forward.
If the invitation of Jesus is to peace, and hope, then fear is that which steals that from you.
That says because of the unknown and the unchangeable, I will resign to fear and that is what is stalking about.
b. fear of the unknown and unchangeable
b. fear of the unknown and unchangeable
the fear of the what ifs
The kind of fear that takes our eyes off of Jesus, off of God’s Narrative and onto fearing the unknown and the unchangeable;
Rather than meditaing on God’s laws meditates on them day and night
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
People my age and older remember a fantastic TV show ABCs Wild World of Sports.
Psalm 1:1-3
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
So if the one who meditates on God’s law, and that is not simply God’s commandments but the story of his deliverance; it will being life- right?
it is like being planted by fresh life giving water; reflecting on the truth of God’s goodness- that will bring fruit in your life.
So then if we do not meditate on God’s law; deliverance, love, truth, what will it bring us?
With probably the best intro of any show.
“Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports, the thrill of victory and the thrill of defeat.”
At which point Vinko Bogatije ski jumper has one of the most famous wipe outs in sports history.
The newscasters were freaking out because they figured he was done, he had just ragdolled down the mountain, and his immediate response was to ask to be put back on top of the mountain.
Doctors forced him to go to the hospital only to have him call them an hour later from the hospital, saying I’ll be jumping again tomorrow.
What does it bring us when our focus is off God and onto what ifs?
“Vinko, what about what happened? What if it happens again?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
I’m here to jump!
At the 20 year anniversary of Wild World of Sports Vinko was honoured; received a standing ovation, no because he knew how to take a fall, but he became a symbol of not letting what ifs direct you.
I’m here to jump!
in fact after the anniversary event , the first person to get his autograph Mohammed Ali.
I remember watching the TV show ABCs Wild World of Sports when I was a kid. They were all reruns
but the openning words and imagery was mezmorizing: spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports; the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!!
That poor guy!!
That was a great show. The best part about the program every week was the downhill skier that totally wiped out on the slopes.
I lived for that part of the show -- every week.
There's a sport known as extreme skiing. Skiers go to the top of a mountain and ski straight down at full tilt to the bottom. As far as I can understand, the goal of this sport is don’t die.
Kim Reichhelm was one of the most well know extreme skiers, in the 80s and 90s-
And went on to use skiing as a means of helping people conquer fear.
When asked for best advice on being successful at extreme skiing, and how she stays safe and unafraid-
“Don't look at the trees. Look at the spaces in between the trees....The secret is not to stare at what you don’t want to hit.”
“The secret is not to stare at what you don’t want to hit.”
Paul said something similar in
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,
So in a fear-mongering world that says you should fear. When we finish our six o-clock news fix and we are exhausted and scared by our world....
Where do we focu our hearts and minds. On the trees or the spaces. On the what ifs or on the person of God.
Let me tell your were what ifs get me....
My love language is being in time.
My family knows it.
If we get in the car having made good time, that is going to be a good day for the entire family.
Everyone gets in the car and I'm like thanks family.
I've have made it clear through the years that being on time is my love language.
Coupled with good timing is good communication.
From early in it marriage, if Lalainia's was not going to be home when she said she was, I wanted a call.
Today when me soon is not home when he said he would be home, I want a text.
It takes, 5 seconds.
So in my mind, the only possible explanation for not receiving a text is tragedy .
I'm not kidding this is a real problem for me.
If Lalainia's has a late meeting, and she is a half hour late, I feel concerned. If after an hour, I haven't received a text, I'm trying to figure out how I'll raise the kids in my own. My mind has found every possible tree.
And what is probably the result of a dead phone battery had me wondering if I’ll ever find love again?!?!?
Take every thought captive to Christ.
That is unhealthy and unhelpful
And what we learn from the text here is that .....
II. Lack of FEAR does not mean lack of trial (vv.1-3)
BUT it DOES mean fundamental hope
That God is not going anywhere
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Now I would love it if right after verse 2 says, “therefore I will fear not....” the psalmist went on to say.....”because nothing will ever happen to me. Because God is my refuge, my strength, my help.........He will protect me from any and all calamity.”
That would be a great verse.
The thought would be a perfect quote for a mug if only it ended at “Therefore we will not fear”. THE END
Let me underline that in red and memorize it!!!!
What good is a God who does not save me from disaster??!!
What good is a God who doesn’t save me from danger?
In such a word there would be no need to fear
Something more powerful is going on here!
That delivery is not the goal..reverence and reliance on God is the goal.
Delivery from trial wasn’t the goal for Job, it wasn’t for Israel in the desert, it wasn’t for the Apostle Paul who suffered ailments as well.
The goal was never a release from pain; although that can and does happen, and ultimately will.
But to say in the face of evil....
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
that is saying something.
It is saying that because God is a refuge for our soul, a strength in trial, a help, there can be a difference between going through a fearful situation and living in fear.
There can be a difference between facing a fearful situation and living in fear
We also see in this psalm as well as psalm 23 that.....
III. In the midst of FEAR there is opportunity for peace. (vv. 4-7)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
What is this river?
There is a theme throughout scripture that describes the presence of God as a river.
The ocean was a scary place in ancient times, it represented chaos.
Where the ocean was a place of chaos with it is roaring and foaming and it cannot be tamed, the invitation and promise of God is a strong ongoing presence
Psalm
In the desert, in the city, during war, during peace, God is near.
Psalm
The theme “flows” through the entire narrative of Scripture.
The River is present in the Garden in - coming out of the Garden of Eden, giving life to the garden.
Throughout the OT
8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
Those who handle the law did not know me;
the shepherds transgressed against me;
the prophets prophesied by Baal
and went after things that do not profit.
describes God as the one who brings living water.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.
13 for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.
The prophet Zechariah speaking of the coming Kingdom that Jesus will inaugurate, describes a river that will never be stopped. It will continue in the heat and the cold
8 On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
In , Jesus takes up this theme saying, “If anyone is thirsty.....
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
In Revelation, the Apostle John describes seeing an angel in the new creation once again pointing out the presence of a river.
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Throughout history, wars, persecution, sickness, brokenness, the river of God, the presence fo God continues, unstayed, immovable (a refuge, stregnth, a help)and giving life and peace until the end of History. Fully present throughout the story God is telling.
In the midst of FEAR there is opportunity for peace. Because we do not worship a God who is far off, but through his spirit walking with us in the midst of those things that would cause fear.
And lastly the brothers of Korah teach us this....
IV. On the OTHER SIDE of FEAR is an opportunity to grow (vv. 8-11)
to grow in peace and trust, worship and maturity
Psalm 46:8
And it comes from the proper response to our fear in light of his presence.
God invites us first to behold.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
a. behold (v.8-9)
take it in
Throughout Israels history God would draw their attention back to his redemptive/saving work for them; the defeat of Egyptians, deliverance from plagues and starvation, water from rocks, bread from the ground, birds for food from the sky, establishing of a nation in the midst of opposition.
Some say, man if I had the kinds of miracles that the Israelites witnessed, I’d have no problem trusting God, not fearing.
Hey the bible makes it clear that a mountain top experience does not guarantee deep faith, nurturing trust and thanksgiving do. Beholding
How many times did God have to call Israel back to himself.
Many of the psalms are a call to reflect and remember the God who saves and is constantly present.
says “don’t forget what you’ve seen”
“don’t forget the LORD your maker”
9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—
is a call to remember the miracles that God performed fro Israel, and the hope is that such remembrance will strengthen our faith and trust.
12 “I, I am he who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
of the son of man who is made like grass,
13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
Maybe closer to home, for you and I is a text like
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Part of what it means to meet on Sundays and Life Groups, and worship and dive into the narrative of Scripture is to BEHOLD!!
One of the greatest laments of our day is that we do not have enough time to behold. And when we do behold, we behold in soundbites, blogs, and memes.
Be Calm and Jesus On - what?
We rush and do not have time to behold or listen. We do not have time to be still. But part of what it means to grow is to....
b. be still (v.10)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
We do not know how to do this any more! Do we.
Even when we are physically still our minds are going a mile a minute.
Sitting still now means catching up on instagram, emails, and texts.
We live in a culture that lives with misconception that we are good at multitasking.
We think that because we can do many things at once, we should.
But the truth is, all we are doing is a lot of things badly and without our full attention.
Ask my wife if I am good at it!
Forget multitasking, I cant even dual task!!
The amount of times, my patient wife has gone minutes into a story, and I realize a minute in that I do not know the setting of this story. The characters she is taking about, and whether she is going to be asking advice at the end.
But then I'm to far in!
I can do the head nod but that has a 50/50 chance of working!!
I learned early on that if my wife says I want to tell you something or we need to talk; the radio goes off!! I'm only a simple man!!
God says be still. Take it in. Look at what I have promised and what I have done.
Let me tell you what I mean by that.
Psalm
Usually when I meet with a Christian, who has gone through a terrible circumstance, loss of a loved one, a broken relationship; where everything they thought they were going to have for the next 20-60 years is gone; it didn’t pan out the way they thought; I will simply ask.
Then the invitation is to....
How is your situation different because of the gospel?
Because you are a Christ follower and have trusted him with your life, how do you interpret your situation differently than someone who does not know Jesus?
BECAUSE it should be different.
BECAUSE you believe that God is an ever present help in times of trouble. Because there is a river of life, that will not be stopped by any circumstance.
c. bow (vv. 10-11)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
In the midst of trouble- when it feels like the mountains are falling into the seas and the water is rising, remember that The God of Jacob/ Israel, Jesus the head of the church, who sits at the right hand of the father is not done.
And as Paul writes in
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
From peasant to King all will bow.
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
And the invitation is to not be a late comer to acknowledge him as Lord.
To do so now with our lives and our fears. In the midst of our troubles, will he be exalted and trusted?
And in response. Bow down. Submit your fear, your anxiety, your outlook to him.
Let me tell you what I mean by that.
Usually when I meet with a Christian, who has gone through a terrible circumstance, loss of a loved one, a broken relationship; where everything they thought they were going to have for the next 20-60 years is gone; it didn’t pan out the way they thought; I will simply ask.
How is your situation different because of the gospel?
Because you are a Christ follower and have trusted him with your life, how do you interpret your situation differently than someone who does not know Jesus?
BECAUSE it should be different.
BECAUSE you believe that God is an ever present help in times of trouble. Because there is a river of life, that will not be stopped by any circumstance.
Is your view like that of the Sons of Korah- God is my refuge, strength, present help.
Conclusion:
The Cross gives us....
an understanding of the heart of Jesus
For you and I this stands or falls at the cross of Christ. Whether or nit we will see him as our refuge, strength, help will be in correlation with how we view the cross.
a model for suffering
hope of deliverance
Conclusion:
For you and I this stands or falls at the cross of Christ. Whether or nit we will see him as our refuge, strength, help will be in correlation with how we view the cross.
Fear and the Cross
The Cross gives us....
an understanding of the heart of God
a model for suffering
hope of deliverance
Our understanding of the heart of God is all caught up on the cross
Does God really care about my problems, my fears, my well-being? the cross is a resounding yes!!
He took on the greatest fear himself- looking sin and death in the face and for our sakes endured our sin and the cross.
Our model in Jesus (who for the hope before him endured the cross) is seen at the Resurrection
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
looking through an beyond his suffering
Our hope of deliverance is all caught up in the resurrection
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
The picture here is amazing. So Jesus entrusted with the task of saving creation, WILL accomplish it all, and all the dangers the fears that sin and death bring will be broken and subject to him, and you and I will reap the benefits of complete deliverance. Which starts when we bow our heart and will to his and culminates at his return!!
In the cross we see the love of God the Father and the humility, ability, the right and power of Jesus to bring us into relationship with HIM and in so doing conquer our deepest fears.
In the cross we see the love of God the Father and the humility, ability, the right and power of Jesus to bring us into relationship with HIM and in so doing conquer our deepest fears.
Let’s Pray
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
consider it pure joy
None of these speak of removing trial.
Paul praying for that which caused him anxiety to be removed. He didn't get it.
In the text there is no promise that the game will cease.
There is a promise that there is a fundamental solid ground reaching deeper than any calamari can reach
My grace is sufficient.
When James speaks of trial he offers it this way:
Each trial. Each thing that causes great, anxiety, worry is an opportunity for maturity or dismissal.
“Yahweh is not only a means of escape from pressure and trials. He is also Lord over them. He is not an escape from history, but the one who is working out His purpose in history. And He is therefore not just a Saviour to be trusted, but also Lord to be acknowledged. Thus, the psalmist goes on: Stop fighting , and acknowledge that I am God”
Joseph you meant it for evil..
Clarification
A. Healthy vs unhealthy fear
Healthy- you can name it and take steps ( you can make certain steps to protect yourself)
Logical and preventative
Unhealthy- no proof. Cannot mail it down. Nothing you can do to control it.
(Risk)
Fear of Friday the 13 th
B. A lack of Fear does not save us from real difficulty
Anxiety ( same as )
; (
2 Correct. 11:28
Jon share his story?
Passenger side- not in control
My mom and the invisible brake
Admit: You are NOT in control
I. “What ifs”
First Biblical thought is this. Number one, what do we do? We must take our minds off of the “what if’s” of fear. We must take our mind off of the “what if’s” of fear. How does it go? “What if the economy turns south? What if they sell my company? What if I lose my job? What if he or she is not faithful? What if the doctor gives us a bad report? What if our marriage doesn’t go the distance? What if we can’t have children?
Let me tell your were what ifs get me....
My love language is being in time.
My family knows it.
If we get in the car having made good time, that is going to be a good day for the entire family.
Everyone gets in the car and I'm like thanks family.
I've have made it clear through the years that being on time is my love language.
Coupled with good timing is good communication.
From early in it marriage, if Lalainia's was not going to be home when she said she was, I wanted a call.
Today when me soon is not home when he said he would be home, I want a text.
It takes, 5 seconds.
So in my mind, the only possible explanation for not receiving a text is tragedy .
I'm not kidding this is a real problem for me.
If Lalainia's has a late meeting, and she is a half hour late, I feet concerned. If after an hour, I haven't received a text, I'm trying to figure out how I'll raise the kids in my own.
What ifs jump up pretty quick for me!!
VV 1
I. refuge, strength, help
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
The thought would be a perfect quote for a mug if only it ended at “Therefore we will not fear”. THE END
Let me underline that in red and memorize it!!!!
What good is a God who does not save me from disaster??!!
What good is a God who doesn’t save me from danger?
II. Promise of Presence is Not a promise of danger free existence (vv. 2-3)
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Psalm 46:
What would be great is if the text then went on to say......as most of us would like it to say......because God is your refuge, because he is your strength you will be protected from calamity;
Let me underline that in red and memorize it!!!!
What good is a God who does not save me from disaster??!!
What good is a God who doesn’t save me from danger?
III. Let go of the “what if’s”
“every thought captive”—why?
because they’ll sneak through like a spy— and pop up at 1AM!!
take them captive and shine the light of truth on them.
Not a promise that trouble will not come.
That we are NOT in control of it.
What would be wonderful is if the text went on to say—that
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah