Monday, November 12, 2012

Gospel Versus Fear


Fear is something we all possess though it surfaces differently in each one of us. Fear is not always bad or always good. I like to think it exists on a continuum. The better end of the continuum is the fear that keeps us alive. An example would be the respect one has for the edge of a 200-foot cliff, that is, we stay back; to fall is to die. The other end, the worse end of the continuum, is the fear that seriously hinders someone. For instance, this fear causes one not to leave the house or talk to other people. However, I suggest that a healthy understanding of the gospel will begin to diminish this type of fear.

In Gideon’s case, the LORD told him to go and rip down his Dad’s altars (Judges 6:25). That seedy altar of Baal and the Asherah pole stood as symbols of Israel’s blatant idolatry and apostasy. Now it was time for the symbols to go, God told Gideon to tear them down. But Gideon’s fear welled up, so Gideon ripped them down after dark with ten men (Judges 6:27). The presence of friends and the cover of dark temporarily diminished his fear.

Fear is part of the theme in the short narrative of Gideon. Fear is present when Gideon was threshing wheat so that he could hide it from the enemy he feared (Judges 6:11). It recurs until he hears of the dream from the camp of the Midianites, which was golden proof that his 300-man army would beat the big bad enemy that was too numerous to number (Judges 7:15).

But why wasn’t Gideon’s fear put to rest earlier in the narrative? The LORD called him a “valiant warrior” and reassured him of His constant presence (Judges 6:12). Surely, that would be enough for him to march onto his Dad’s place in broad daylight and tear down the pagan altars without any friends to protect him. I imagine that would be enough to prevent him from testing the LORD. The answer to this is not simple; but to be sure, believing the truth should displace fear. Furthermore, the patience of God comes into play in Gideon’s life. Gideon struggled to overcome his fear but the LORD did not give up on him. God’s patience is amazing in Gideon’s life. He continues in faithfulness and patience toward Gideon as he grapples with fear and as he grows to trust in God and His faithfulness.

Belief is big; it is the silver bullet into the heart of fear. Belief causes us to taste death and live life. However, belief does not come easy, we want piles of evidence hoping it will offer sure proof. Real belief, the kind that destroys fear, brings us to action. It pushes us out of the house and into the faces of our enemies. This is clear in Gideon’s account. His personal fear was overcome by believing God at His word, which led him to battle.

Personal fears vanish in the presence of our earthly Daddy or Mommy. I recall standing at the end of the diving board at the St. Helens swimming pool, very afraid to jump. However, when Dad came over and stood in the pool near the end of the board, I jumped! Guess what? I did not look back and that led to lots of fun that summer jumping off the diving board.

Thus, why is it that you deal with fears dear Christian? God is always with you. You are perfectly nestled in His sovereign hand. He promised to provide all of your needs. He is your perfect, heavenly Daddy. You could not take a breath without His power, nor could you put any words together to form a phrase without His presence, He holds you together and if He stopped you would stop living.

Therefore, as you and I face our greatest fear, namely death. Let us stand together as a church family to remember the words of our Savior, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25). Jesus’ good news kills death and it should diminish any of our fears. Live in confidence for Jesus is your God and Savior. 

*Kevin DeYoung speaks of gaining courage through communion, click here to read his post.