The words "fear not" are seen over 300 times in the Bible. Some say 366 times for every day of the year. Why are we given that command so many times? For one, because fear is the opposite of Faith. If I am fearful, I am not trusting the Lord. Fear is a natural human emotion to which we react many times by shrinking back and hiding. The Word of God instructs us to "walk not in the flesh, but according to the Spirit". The natural man, or "flesh" cannot receive the things of the Spirit. The things of the Spirit have to do with Faith and Trust and Belief, Jesus being the object of those three.
I have been thinking about 2 Kings chapter 6 recently. This is where the King of Syria was so upset because his plans against Israel kept being thwarted because the prophet Elisha would reveal their strategies to the Israelites over and over. The Syrian King decided to go after Elisha who was only operating in the gift and calling of God as so many of us as Believers are doing today. The enemy, satan himself attempts to send his hoards to capture and destroy us. As the account goes, the servant of Elisha saw all the enemy's chariots and horses surrounding the city and said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" When we see all that the enemy is attempting to do in this current situation in our history, do we cry out, "Alas, JESUS, my master! What shall I do?" Elisha, the man of God replied, "Fear not! For those who are with us are more than those who are with them." The servant could only see with his natural eyes. The enemy looked so daunting! So huge! Things seemed so foreboding! I can just feel his cry.... "What are we going to do?" Elisha prayed, "O Lord, please open his eyes so that he may see." The Lord opened the eyes of the servant and he saw the mountain full of God's horses and chariots of FIRE! Oh, to have been there and beheld that sight! The servant's fear must have melted away in an instant as he stood with his mouth open and eyes wide. O Lord! Give us Spiritual eyes to see into the Realm of the Spirit!
Fear brings confusion and what I would call the "fight or flight" response. Fighting with no purpose or direction, just to survive. Often, not taking the time to listen to the direction and wisdom of our Leader. Or, running to hide, to slip away, not be seen, be protected, survive for the sake of survival with no hope in sight. Both aspects of this response are motivated by selfishness. We are not called to selfishness but to God's Purpose. "Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done." We are heading toward a City that has no walls, whose Builder is the Lord God! We are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation to show forth Jesus Christ, Crucified, Buried and Resurrected! Why? So the World, for which He did all this will believe and be saved. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Isaiah 40:5. We have to do more than survive in this day! We have to go forth Victoriously knowing that we, as God's People, His Church, His Bride have been called to a higher purpose than the things of the flesh. We need to rise above and Shine as we walk in the realization that "Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the World"! Not only in us but all around us... surrounded by His Glory!
There is no one equal or that can compare in any way to the Creator of ALL!!!! Remember... the enemy of your soul is a created being who has already been defeated and on his way to the lake of fire! Turn from Fear to Faith in the One who enables you to "abide under the shadow of the Almighty"! So, whatever you are called to do in these days... do it standing on the Word of God and walking according to the Word of God and obeying the same commandment given to Joshua before he led the people over the Jordan into the promised land..."Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Oh, yes, and I am going with you! God's got an Army!
