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.
