Luke 21:7-36 – – [Key v. 26] – “…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.”  NKJV

Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday, regarding Faith and Fear let’s dig a little deeper today.  Hopefully, this will provide some useful thoughts that will help you walk a more victorious life in the face of the assaults of the enemy.  The subject matter from yesterday brings a question to the fore that reflects the problem.

How do we gain or maintain control to face something we can’t control?  The problem is we have participated in Adam’s sin and become a part of the Cosmic Rebellion that doomed the human race.  That sin or fall created the need for Jesus to come, live among us, and die on the Cross.  The Cosmic Rebellion was Disobedience and basically was that man decided, with the help and suggestion of the devil to become the Center of His Universe.  Remember in Genesis when the serpent said, “you shall be as God”?  Man fired God and installed Self on the throne of his life in an attempt to become god, which is the ultimate rebellion.

Romans 6:16 – “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?”  NKJV

Putting it as simply as I can, when we “disobeyed” God, we “obeyed” the devil and through that act became his slaves.  Man lost dominion, lost authority, lost power, lost relationship, and lost covenant.  Simply man was L-O-S-T!  One preacher said it was as though man was “born-again backward.”

We understand that the devil is a supernatural being and we are natural beings.  When we come to that realization, we will understand that when he brings things into our paths, we are no match for him in our own strength.  That causes FEAR to rush in like a flood.  As we allow SELF to occupy the top spot in our lives, we are a prime target, for inordinate FEAR.  However, if our focus is truly on God – – WE DO NOT FEAR!

From what the Bible teaches us there are two basic approaches to fear for man:

Psalm 56:3 – David said: “When I am afraid, I will put my Trust in Thee….”

Isaiah 12:2 – Isaiah said: “Behold God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.”

Both are good, but one is better!   It is far better to TRUST first and not FEAR than to FEAR first and then TRUST.  Both reached the point of trust, but one took a more difficult route.

Luke 12:32 – “Do not be afraid, little flock, for our Father has chosen to gladly give you the Kingdom.”

Hebrews 13:6 – “…so that we can confidently say, The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid.  What shall man do to me?”

1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

Psalm 27:1-2 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall, I fear?  The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?  When the evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.  Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.”

Psalm 31:13-14,20 – “For I have heard the slander of many, terror is on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life.  But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord.”

Proverbs 1:33 – “But he who listens to me shall live and shall be at ease from the dread of evil.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given to us the spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline (sound mind).”

Proverbs 10:24 – [Key:  Get this straight] – “What the wicked fears will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted.”   This is not talking about a momentary bout with fear but becoming Fearful and being Wicked. It is a Spirit of Fear!

Hebrews 2:14 – Speaking of the work of the Cross:  “Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render POWERLESS [unemploy] him who HAD [past tense] the power of death, that is, the devil.”   [Emphasis mine]

[v.15] – “and might deliver those who through FEAR OF DEATH were subject to slavery all their lives.”

Basically, there are two groups of people living on this planet.  Those who are in Slavery to the Fear of Death and those who have been delivered.

Isaiah 8:12 – “…you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it….”

As you go through life look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith and the one who, through His Finished Work on the Cross defeated the devil permanently!  You are victorious through Jesus!   

I will stop here and pick up tomorrow for a little more!  Blessings!