Deliver Me from Fear

 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”—Numbers 13:31-33; 14:1-4

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.—1 John 4:18

Fear, cowardice and instability...all of us, like the Israelites, have been there.  Fear makes our thinking at best skewed and at worst chaotic.  We become like unbelievers running to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine.  We read, believe and feed on lies instead of immersing ourselves in the truth of our God’s word. We forget the ONE in Whom we believe and trust in our own abilities and schemes to protect us.  Praying today that each of us would look to our Lord and Savior.  That we draw near to Him...spending time with Him in His word, in worship and in prayer.  

Father,

How often does my mind go down wrong paths?  Paths of unbelief that lead to fear, grief and torment.  Paths where I worry about "evil tidings" lurking down the road...paths that lead me to be anxious and apprehensive rather than peaceful and serene.  Sometimes Father I am so afraid of what might lie ahead for me and for my loved ones...so afraid of pain and grief overtaking me and  being unable to bear up under it. 

Deliver me speedily, Father, from this kind of fear.  I never want to doubt Your promises to me or Your faithfulness.  I don't ever want to insinuate that You could forget one of Your children or withdraw Your hand of mercy.  As a believer I have been set free from this kind of fear.  You are my God and You are with me....I place my trust in You...in You I am confident.  I know that whatever may occur in my life, You, Father, will overrule it for good for me, your child.  Your word promises me this.  I do not have to be afraid of "evil tidings".  My heart is steadfast...fixed and trusting in Your mercy.  I am surrendered to Your will...Your desires for me, Father, are my desires.  I have learned that Your paths and Your ways are perfect.  I have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but I have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby I can cry out, Abba Father! You, my God, have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

You are my God of love who dwells in me and perfects Your love in my heart as I, abide in Your word and surrender to Your will.  Your will for me comes from Your heart of love...I will not fear.  I am confident that You who have begun a good work in me will continue it until it is finished when Your Son Jesus returns.

Do as seems good to You in my life Father...I trust You.  I leave it all in Your hands of love. Make me perfect me in Your love...

19 Oh, how great is Your goodness,

Which You have laid up for those who fear You,

Which You have prepared for those who trust in You

In the presence of the sons of men!

20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence

From the plots of man;

You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion

From the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the LORD,

For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!

22 For I said in my haste,

“I am cut off from before Your eyes”;

Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications

When I cried out to You.

23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!—Psalm 31:19-23