Fear not…

(Isaiah 41:10)

The fear of man brings a snare

(Proverbs 29:25)

Do not fear.  Literally, hundreds and hundreds of times God calls us in the Bible to not be afraid, to not  fear.  Today, I wonder if you need to hear this?  Today, I am wondering if there is something, or some grouping of things that is drawing you to a place of being afraid?  If so…hear God clearly – do not be afraid!

Fear, fear of man, brings a snare.   There is a good fear, a Godly fear and reverence of God that we are exhorted to have in life.  Yet, in contrast, we are clearly instructed to not live in the fear of man. 

In a very powerful picture, God lets us know that fearing man is a snare.  Try to picture it in your mind.   Before you, you see a trap set for a wild animal.  Sometimes traps work by drawing the target in by using bait.  Yet, some animals are too wary for such traps – for these, if you can get them to be afraid – you can chase them into a trap.     This is the thought before us.  This is the thought before us.   It is chasing an animal around a corner, through a hole...into a prepared trap. 

Fear traps us by causing us to make irrational and emotional decisions.   There are things we would never do if we were calm and collected, yet in a time of fear we can make spontaneous, irrational and stupid choices.  That is the aim of these traps of the fear of man.

God is holding out to us a cure for such fears.  God is calling us to not be chased, corralled and led astray by the fear of man.   How?  Trusting in Him.

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

God is calling us to trust Him today, to know that today He is still God – that today He is working and sovereign in our world and lives.  Today, God is calling you to see His faithful care. Notice in this next verse, the commitment of God to us. 

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

“I am your God” - Consider the wonder of being a Christian – of having God as our God.

“I will” - Three times God says “I will”.  Hear the unwavering and sure commitment from God in this.  He does not say “I might” or “maybe” – but a solid promise of what He is and will do in your life.

“I will strengthen you” – God’s promise is to give you the ability to handle whatever is before you.

“I will help you” – you are not in this alone – there are things that God may allow you to go through…but not alone – He is there, He is there to help you.

“I will uphold you” – God promises to keep you up, to pick you up if you stumble and to carry you to and through what is before you.  Wow.  

Today, can I simply call you not to be driven by fear into the snares in of this world.  Today, I call you to trust in the Lord.

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

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Ps 118:6)

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  (Isa 41:10)

Praying for a fearless trust in God for you today!

Jim