Fear? - by James Newton

Arise, O Lord!  Rescue me, my God!  Slap all my enemies in the face!  Shatter the teeth of the wicked! ~ Psalms 3:7

This verse sounds like it’s just a vindictive, revengeful statement on the surface. But what David is saying here is that now he has found his inner peace from God, he wants justice. Justice for who? Look at verse 8 – his people. At this point, David is no longer looking inwardly, but outwardly.

1 John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” The opposite of love is not hate. But he opposite of love is fear. And the opposite of fear is love. Fear is self-seeking. But love is others-focussed. You’ll never really deal with your fear by yourself, but loving others and being in a community is the only way to finally destroy fear. I often thought during the thick of the covid restrictions that that was a clever move by the enemy. To force us into isolation so that the very thing we needed to help us through this fearful time – community – was unobtainable. When we needed each other the most, the closest we could get was at opposite ends of an internet connection. And in defiance of this cunning plan, I declared that I would not fear but trust even more in my Saviour.

This Saviour, was so scared that He sweated blood while praying in the garden on the night He was betrayed. But He pushed on through to the grave for you and me and came out the other side victorious. Hebrews 12:2-3 says: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” So much could be said about those two verses but, what was the joy set before him? His people. You.

by James Newton