Fear NOT Fridays #6 - No Fear When Heat Comes
I once heard a preacher say that "do not be afraid" occurs 365 times in the Bible. That's enough for every day of the year, which means that we should never live in fear. I have not yet confirmed that amount of "fear nots" but that sermon inspired this new series:
Fear NOT Fridays.
Once or twice a month I will feature a Bible verse or passage from God's Word proving that we should NOT be afraid.
I do want to clarify one thing before continuing - "fear God" is NOT the same as being afraid. When it says "fear God" in the Bible that means showing reverence, respect and absolute awe of our Heavenly Father. Whereas, fear means - a very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger.
We learn in Ephesians 6:12 (see below) that we, as Christians, are fighting a spiritual battle everyday. What if the entire world is currently in an information war? - a war of the mind? We are constantly being bombarded with things that we should fear, like the current illness/virus or an impending nuclear war. FEAR, Fear, fear on social media, television, computers, smartphones - fear is being broadcast everywhere and all the time. Again, near the end of the verse below we see that our struggle is against the evil forces in the heavenly realms. Well, our fear is what those evil forces feed on - we are making them fat by being afraid. That is why this series will help us rid our lives of fear and thereby starve the evil of this world.
Featured passage: Jeremiah 17:7-8
This passage is perfect for the summer season since the weather is "heating up" and drought might possibly occur. Of course, we know that there are other meanings for "heating up" (actually, I can think of 3 meanings):
1. (the obvious meaning) temperature increasing
2. Become angry
3. Increase in difficult situation, stress
These Bible verses are referring to the third definition. When difficult times occur, the person who trusts and hopes in the Lord has no fear, no stress, no worries.
Jeremiah 17 describes one of the worst situations that a fruit tree could find itself in - a year of drought. However, since that tree is planted by a fresh stream, even in the driest season it still produces abundant fruit!
That tree symbolizes a person who hopes and trusts in the Lord. God is the life giving Water (see verse below) and it is because of Him that we can endure the most difficult of situations. Even though we might be struggling through tough times, it is because of the Holy Spirit within us that we have the strength to produce fruit (fruit symbolizing actions that glorify our Heavenly Father).
"Jesus replied,.......But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
John 4:14
Have no fear when the heat comes!
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