I read somewhere that there are 366 verses that have to do with not fearing in the Bible. That would be one for every day in the year, even in a leap year. This was right around New Years. So I decided that this year, 2013, would be the 'Year of Not Fearing'. I would read and think about one of those verses every day. And then I was looking it up online to find maybe a list or something, and I discovered that it is just a myth. Apparently there are only like 140 or something. But I decided that I would look up a verse in my Bible every day and see for myself how many there are.
Why am I telling you this?
As I have been reading all these 'Fear Nots' for the last hundred days, I have been learning. There are a bunch of common themes that run throughout these verses, and the one that I want to tell you about today is about being still. Have a look at Exodus 14:13-14: 'Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."' The more I learn about fear, the more it seems to me that it has to do with being still in the LORD. Moses tells them 'Don't be afraid. Be still.' Clearly they are connected.
I think when you are still in the LORD, you won't fear. You have no room for fear. When you're being still in the LORD, it's pretty similar to fearing the LORD. We have the capacity to fear either God or worldy things. Whether you're afraid of rejection, the boogie man, letting go of your future, heights, or not fitting in, if you are still in the LORD you won't have room to fear anything else. Think about how awesome God is. Think about His promises.
There are two kinds of fear, and they are both connected. One is healthy and the other is crippling. The fear of the LORD, and the fear of worldly things. Which one are you going to fear?
I just want to leave you with three more verses:
2 Chronicles 20:15
He [Jahaziel son of Zechariah] said: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Psalm 46:10
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
2 Chronicles 20:15
He [Jahaziel son of Zechariah] said: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Psalm 46:10
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."
May God bless you today!
love emma xoxo
Thanks for sharing Emma! This week "fear not but trust in the Lord" has been on my heart and in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! It really is interesting how much we really are afraid of without even realizing it. Fear can be really crippling even in small ways, and it is amazing how God can work if we focus on letting go of our fear and trusting!
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