Fear Not

Psalm 46:1-11

We live in a world plagued by fear -- fear of death, fear of disease, fear of financial calamity. Yet with the great fears that pervade and paralyze many, there is often an absence of the fear we must have. The Bible declares the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Jesus further said, do not fear them that can destroy the body, but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell fire. Without question or qualification we must learn to have a holy terror before Holy Judge of all men.

Yet fear that is not godly in its source, can cripple you mentally, socially, physically and spiritually. Mark Twain said I have experienced many terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Most insurmountable fear is to a catastrophic end. Yet the end of fear is a different than what is feared. Fear over sickness will cause other physical problems-- ulcers, anxiety attacks. Fear of death can deplete the joy of life from you. The Bible says fear not, but the fearful respond with "why not?" Why should I not fear when there is so much trouble around me?

The Bible says that fear has torment but perfect love casts out fear. Fear can be overcome when we understand our God, our position in God, and our relationship with God.

I. OUR POSITION IN GOD

A. REFUGE / HEDGE / SHIELD

B. PRESENCE OF GOD WITH US IS REASON NOT TO FEAR WHAT ELSE IS NEAR US

C. HE HAS BEEN WITH YOU BUT SHALL BE IN YOU

II. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

A. Isaiah 43:1-2

1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame

kindle upon thee.

B. REDEMPTION IS THE GRACE OF GOD FREELY BESTOWED ON US TO GIVE US ETERNAL GIFTS OF GOODNESS BECAUSE OF HIS

GREAT LOVE FOR US.

C. HE WHO SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, SHALL HE NOT FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS

III. OUR GOD

A. SOVEREIGN OVER THE EARTH, SEAS, MOUNTAINS, HEATHEN, KINGDOMS, WARS, AND ALL THAT HE HAS CREATED

B. MORE POWERFUL THAN A LOCOMOTIVE, FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET, ABLE TO LEAP TALL BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE BOUND

C. THERE IS NO KRYPTONITE OF WHICH HE IS AFRAID, NO LEX LUTHER OF WHOM HE NEEDS TO BE INTIMIDATED

D. HE IS BOTH OMNIPOTENT (ALL POWERFUL) AND OMNISCIENT (ALL WISE) AND OMNIPRESENT (EVERY WHERE) AND

ETERNAL (TIMELESS)

E. WHEN WE SPEAK OF GOD WE MUST REFER TO HIM IN RELATION TO HIS CREATION WHICH HE IS GREATER THAN, HE IS

GREATER THAN ANY POWER GIVEN TO A CREATED BEING, WISER THAN ANY KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED BY A CREATURE,

UNLIMITED WITH RESPECT TO PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS OF SPACE, AND WITHOUT BEGINNING OR END.

F. GOD IS THE REASON NOT TO FEAR. HIS GODNESS, HIS PRESENCE, AND HIS LOVING CARE FOR US.