Do Not Fear
Do not fear is a command we hear often in Scripture. The LORD spoke it to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. His prophets spoke those 3 words to encourage countless numbers of people and Jesus, Himself, spoke it to His disciples.
Last week, in our study of Elijah and Elisha we came across this command in 2 Kings 6. In this passage, Elisha was sought out by the King of Syria for giving away his location. Since the King of Syria didn't like the fact that Elisha knew anywhere he went he decided that the best way to deal with Elisha was to send his army by night to surround the city that Elisha was dwelling in. In the morning when the servant of Elisha awoke and saw the great army encircling the city, he was a bit concerned and cried out to Elisha, "Alas my master! What shall we do?"
2 Kings 6:16 "Do not fear......"
But does it just stop there?
Nope.
When we see the command given at other times in Scripture, does it just stop there?
Nope.
So let's do some digging. The first time the word fear is used in the Bible is in Genesis 3:10, after the Fall, when Adam said to God, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid (yare) because I was naked, and I hid myself." Sin had entered our experience and fear became a known emotion. Fear is a result of the Fall, an internal struggle that was not present before our relationship with God was severed by sin.
The second time yare is used in Scripture is also in Genesis. In chapter 15:1, God reveals Himself to Abram a second time and tells him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
In Genesis 26:24 God reveals Himself to Isaac and tells him not to fear. Why? Because He is the God of his father, He is with him, and He will bless and multiply his descendants.
Joshua 1:9 The LORD tells Joshua that he should not be afraid. Why? For He is with him.
Luke 12:32 Jesus tells his disciples not to fear. Why? For it is His Father's good pleasure to give them the Kingdom.
2 Timothy 1:7 Paul encourages Timothy with the truth that God has not given him a spirit of fear. He has given him one of power and love and a sound mind.
So what is the theme that runs through this small sampling of verses that command us to FEAR NOT?
A right knowledge of God that stems from a right relationship with God.
We don't see God giving them a little nudge and encouraging them to "go get it tiger". No butt taps are recorded. No trust falls. We don't see Him tell them that they are smart and capable of doing anything they set their minds to.
No, we see Him reminding them of WHOM their God is. That the relationship they have with Him is WHY they can face whatever challenge was before them. With the first usage of yare we see that man brought fear into this world and in the second usage we see that God rushes in and redeems it, through relationship with Him.
Fear can be a very strong force, but a correct knowledge of the God of the Bible can dispel that and set our feet upon a rock. Where do you need to apply this truth today?
Last week, in our study of Elijah and Elisha we came across this command in 2 Kings 6. In this passage, Elisha was sought out by the King of Syria for giving away his location. Since the King of Syria didn't like the fact that Elisha knew anywhere he went he decided that the best way to deal with Elisha was to send his army by night to surround the city that Elisha was dwelling in. In the morning when the servant of Elisha awoke and saw the great army encircling the city, he was a bit concerned and cried out to Elisha, "Alas my master! What shall we do?"
2 Kings 6:16 "Do not fear......"
But does it just stop there?
Nope.
When we see the command given at other times in Scripture, does it just stop there?
Nope.
So let's do some digging. The first time the word fear is used in the Bible is in Genesis 3:10, after the Fall, when Adam said to God, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid (yare) because I was naked, and I hid myself." Sin had entered our experience and fear became a known emotion. Fear is a result of the Fall, an internal struggle that was not present before our relationship with God was severed by sin.
The second time yare is used in Scripture is also in Genesis. In chapter 15:1, God reveals Himself to Abram a second time and tells him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
In Genesis 26:24 God reveals Himself to Isaac and tells him not to fear. Why? Because He is the God of his father, He is with him, and He will bless and multiply his descendants.
Joshua 1:9 The LORD tells Joshua that he should not be afraid. Why? For He is with him.
Luke 12:32 Jesus tells his disciples not to fear. Why? For it is His Father's good pleasure to give them the Kingdom.
2 Timothy 1:7 Paul encourages Timothy with the truth that God has not given him a spirit of fear. He has given him one of power and love and a sound mind.
So what is the theme that runs through this small sampling of verses that command us to FEAR NOT?
A right knowledge of God that stems from a right relationship with God.
We don't see God giving them a little nudge and encouraging them to "go get it tiger". No butt taps are recorded. No trust falls. We don't see Him tell them that they are smart and capable of doing anything they set their minds to.
No, we see Him reminding them of WHOM their God is. That the relationship they have with Him is WHY they can face whatever challenge was before them. With the first usage of yare we see that man brought fear into this world and in the second usage we see that God rushes in and redeems it, through relationship with Him.
Fear can be a very strong force, but a correct knowledge of the God of the Bible can dispel that and set our feet upon a rock. Where do you need to apply this truth today?