Steeled By Fearlessness

Random House Dictionary defines fearlessness as “without fear; bold or brave; intrepid.” Intrepid means to be “resolutely fearless; dauntless.” Let’s rest on this last definition. To be resolutely fearless means I am resolved not to fear. It doesn’t mean fear wont’ come, it means I am resolved not to fear. What’s the difference? The difference is I am not going to focus on my fears when such thoughts and emotions come. I am going to change my focus from my fear to my Father. It means having faith in a faithful Father:

    “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:1-4)

David’s Psalm 27 is subtitled “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” I like that; I need to do that. I need to exuberantly declare my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and let the world know that I shall not fear because my God reigns. I must be resolute in my fearlessness. I must purpose in my heart not to fear:

    “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.” (Psalm 112:7-8)

Last night Karen and I were watching a documentary on the Battle of Gettysburg and I could not help but be moved by the bravery, or some would say stupidity, of the Confederate soldiers in Pickett’s division marching shoulder-to-shoulder as artillery is being shot directly at them. I thought to myself that I did not know if I would have had the level of bravery.

What in a man makes that possible?

I know that if I’m going to be steeled by fearlessness, then I’m going to have to stand ramrod straight in the face of adversity and persecution. And if I try to do so in my own power, I will crumble. I must stand in the strength of my Lord:

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

The writer of Psalm 112 was writing about the blessing of being in a state of righteousness. That simply means being right with God. If I am not living according to God’s Word, then it is a good bet my fear factor is higher than it should be. Think about that for a moment, if I’m disobedient to God, why would I think He’s standing with me?

However, if I am living a right life with God, then I can indeed stand ramrod straight, steeled by fearlessness, not because of me, but because of God:

    “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, then you need not be afraid of men either. Why? Because man is the least of your worries.

Death is.

Facing the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ and hearing His horrific yet righteous words, “Depart from me, I never knew you,” is the worst possible sentence man can experience.

But Jesus isn’t just a “Get Out of Hell” card; He is so much more. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings; He has conquered death and overcome this world. He has promised us the abundant life here on earth, not abundance in material things but abundance in spiritual things. One of those spiritual things is fearlessness.

Stop walking in fear of death and what awaits you on the other side. Give your life to Jesus Christ right now; repent of your sins and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Turn from your sinful life and turn towards a righteous life.

If you already are saved, then start living like it. Get right with God and steel your heart with fearlessness.

I pray you have a blessed weekend and please remember to go to church on Sunday.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2013 David Jeffers

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