See My Faith and Not My Fear

Last Saturday Karen and I had the pleasure of being taken to dinner by a wonderful couple from our church. Jimmy and Victoria had asked us to join them for dinner after viewing a matinee playing of the fine movie, “Do You Believe?” While we were discussing the movie at dinner, I commented on a scene in the movie and I can’t seem to let go of the thought.

There is a scene in the movie where the pastor is held up at gunpoint for a gym bag full of money. How the pastor came to have that bag full of money are details I won’t go into so not to spoil the movie for those who’ve not seen it. Now my observation is not meant to be a criticism of the pastor, more of a commentary and desire of my own. What I noticed most about the pastor is his obvious fear.

Now you may be scratching your head as to why I am making a point about this because fear is a natural reaction to being robbed. I agree, and the pastor was strong in his declaration of following Christ. However his fear was so overwhelming to me, I wondered out loud how I would have reacted.

I told my friends and wife that if faced with such a fearful situation, I want my assailant to see my faith and not my fear. That no matter how the robbery all ended, I want the criminal to be haunted by my faith. I want him to realize that no matter how much he thinks he is in control of his life, there is a power greater than him. I also want to remember that when I am facing the fears of this life, I am secure because I belong to Jesus Christ:

    “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)

Please remember that I am sharing with you my desire in a fearful situation and would never be foolish enough to make a declaration that I would be fearless. Only a fool would not be fearful staring at the business end of a pistol. Nevertheless, courage is the ability to overcome fear and my ability to overcome all fear, especially death, is grounded in my faith in Jesus Christ.

I love reading the Book of Jeremiah because when this mighty prophet was called by God to speak for Him, Jeremiah reminded God that he was only a youth. Jeremiah had many reservations about speaking out for God, especially with the message of doom that God was giving him. Throughout the book, Jeremiah is reminded to rely on God to protect Him. At the very beginning God tells Jeremiah:

    “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:7-8)

Our faith can outshine our fear because of our knowing that we are secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are facing troubling times, we can face them fearlessly because we have a security that cannot be obtained or derailed by man.

Psalm 112 has been given the title, “The Blessed State of the Righteous.” I love this psalm because it reminds me that if my fear is in the Lord and I will obey His commandments, then I will be blessed. There is supernatural overcoming power knowing that we cannot be defeated. Psalm 112 tells us:

    “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7)

I constantly pray for the security of my family and myself. I hope I’m never faced with the fear of being robbed at gunpoint. I wish to live a peaceful life as much as the next man. Nevertheless, if I am ever faced with the fear of instant death, I pray that I will overcome that fear with the faith only possible through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Is that your hope?

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ that is based on faith in the truth found in the Bible?

Let us all who belong to King Jesus purpose in our hearts that the world will always see our faith and not our fear.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2015 David Jeffers

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