DOMINION OVER DARTS OF FEAR (2)

“MEN’S HEARTS failing them from FEAR and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth” – Luke 21:26a

There is a prophetic dimension to DOMINION over DARTS of FEAR: “And on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; MEN’S HEARTS failing them from FEAR and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Lk. 21:25b-26). The world is passing through perilous times, marked by signs of the end-times, chief of which is pervading Fear! The Lord is not silent on what our response should be: “Now when these things begin to happen, LOOK UP and LIFT UP your heads, because your redemption draws near” (v.28). Isaiah 8:12b-13 says to not “be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The LORD of hosts, Him shall you hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”

In contemporary times, fear seems to dominate the news headlines: Fear of infections, illnesses, robberies, terrorism, kidnapping, financial crisis, the unknown future, and death. The dominance of negative information in the world further instils fear in the hearts of those who are not rooted and grounded in God’s Word. There is no better time than now to meditate on Scriptures on overcoming fear. We must guard our hearts against being filled with fear by what we see and hear. Trusting God to overcome fear begins with meditating on His Word. Jesus asked a thought-provoking question: “when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Lk.18:8). We must stand in faith, irrespective of happenings around. Faith is the Victory that overcomes the world (1Jh.5:4).

Faith fears only God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Pro.1:7a).  We must get rid of the negative spirit of fear by replacing it with the Fear of God: “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death” (Pro.14:27). The wise man said: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecc.12:13). To fear God means to respect and revere Him. This fear does not cripple or paralyze us; rather it keeps us from sinning. When we fear God, we submit to His will and follow His commandments. Instead of being afraid of what the future holds for us, we fear God who is able to deliver us from all perils. His fear helps us to delight in his commandments (Psa112:1), makes us wiser (Pro. 9:10), and ultimately saves from eternal death: “Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt.10:28).

Strength in the Lord overcomes Fear: When Moses died, Israel lost a great leader, but God prepared Joshua to take the baton by commanding him to “be strong and of good courage”; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Jos.1:9). God said this thrice, indicating finality! Instead of manifesting fear, God encourages His people to be strong:  To “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph.6:10b). To be courageous is to have the confidence to do what God wants done. Though things may not seem to go our way, being courageous means that we’re able to move forward as we trust God. Good Courage means the courage to do what  is right and proper in God’s eyes; not just being recklessly brave without the right wisdom.

Praying to God delivers from Fear: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psa.34:4). We must learn to surrender all our fears unto God. When King David’s spirit was in tumult, when his fears were too difficult to handle and his mind was tormented by worry, he “sought the Lord”! When we seek God with all our hearts, He hears and delivers us from all our fears, unlocks a life free of the bondage of fear, and opens a floodgate of faith, peace, joy, and blessings!