Mark 5:1-20 & 6:45-52

I ask that you read those two passages, which are crucial to our devotional today.  Also, I encourage you to remember that this is the day the Lord has made, and we have every reason to rejoice and be glad. We live on the brink of eternity, and Jesus is coming again!

The thought in my heart for today is The Power of Fear!

The two accounts in our text reflect the power of Fear and the power of Faith—they are like oil and water.

The incident where Jesus and the disciples met the demoniac in Gennesaret and when He came walking on the water amid the storm. In both accounts, there was the presence of fear.

In both accounts, the unexpected and unknown occurred, allowing fear to take center stage. The demoniac was healed, and the herd of swine drowned in the sea. The people came to Jesus. They were in His presence and heard the recounting of what had transpired. It was not what they expected. It was beyond their comfort zone, and fear gripped their hearts. As a result, they asked Jesus to leave!

The disciples were in a mess as the storm raged around them.  They looked up, and here comes Jesus, walking on the water.  They were afraid.  Fear gripped their hearts! Unlike those in Gennesaret, they knew Jesus, had walked with Him, and observed the miracles. Yet, when the unexpected came and something outside their comfort zone of expectation and possibility occurred, Fear entered.

Later, Jesus and the disciples returned to Gennesaret; this time, they recognized Him and brought the sick and bound to Him.  What changed?  I believe it was that the delivered man had been preaching the Good News to them, and as they heard the Word and observed the change in him, the Word took root and produced a harvest of faith.

Faith grows in the fertile ground of the Word.  Where fear exists, faith cannot manifest itself.  We tend to fear what we do not understand or expect.  When God does something outside our doctrinal viewpoint or mindset paradigm, we allow fear to gain a foothold.

The Bible says that there is No Fear in Love and that Perfect Love Casts Out Fear!  We are told that Jesus is the Word, and that no human can live by natural food alone but lives truly by every Word that proceeds from God.

The Key the Holy Spirit wants to reveal in this is not something we do not know.  It is a reminder that we need to hear again.  The Word of God is a source of strength and hope.  It is God’s fertilizer for faith! If I abide in Jesus and His Word abides in Me – Fear cannot survive, and Faith will thrive!

Pray this prayer as you set your heart on living in faith, not fear.  “Lord, I pray that today, You will help me and my friends to be people of faith, not fear! Help us to crave Your Word more than our natural food. Help us see Your Word’s value in guiding our lives and shaping our worldview. Help us today to see what You have said and done and trust You with our entire being. Make this day a day of Victory for each of us! Amen!”

May today be a day of complete submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and one in which you walk through the doorway of Faith and banish Fear!