Do Not Fear
by Pastor Mark Martin
During the children of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and before the parting of the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s army pursued the Israelites because he was determined to return them to slavery. There seemed to be no possible way to escape him, it appeared to be an impossible situation. At this time Moses gathered the terrified people and gave them a three-part command:
“…Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:13-14).
This three-part command can be applied to your life:
First, Moses commanded the people not to fear. When you’re faced with an impossible situation—don’t be afraid!
Second, Moses commanded them to stand still. He was exhorting them not to make a move, they were not prepared to, nor were they able to deliver or defend themselves. They were to relax and have some faith. What we need to do is be still.
Third, Moses commanded them to watch God rescue them. In many translations verse fourteen says, “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” I love it—He was telling more than a million people to keep silent!
Sometimes our mouth is our worst enemy. We can defeat ourselves before the battle even begins by what we say to ourselves or to others. There is a Jewish proverb that says, “Nothing causes more trouble than the tongue.” C.C. Phelps said, “There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he gets his brain going.”
Joshua gave a similar command to the next generation forty years later, just before he was going to lead them to conquer the city of Jericho; “Do not shout; do not even talk,” He said, “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!” (Joshua 6:10).
The exhortation they received is very applicable for all of us when we experience situations where our spiritual enemy is in hot pursuit of us and our backs are against the wall.
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
What are you afraid of?
• Fear of people?
• Fear of some situation?
• Fear of not being in control?
• Fear of the future?
• Fear that something might happen to a loved one?
David prayed to the Lord something like, “God, I am scared!” God heard him and delivered him from all of his fears. God does not want us to live in a state of constant fear.
Fear does not come from the Lord, it comes from Satan and he has kept many believers from advancing in their Christian life and obedience to the Lord by using fear to intimidate or stop them. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold—real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed—nothing to show for their lives. When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won’t find them—Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’ Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don’t be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I’ll help you. I, God, want to reassure you” (Isaiah 41:10-14, MSG).
Fear can make us:
• Run when we should stay put,
• Lie when we should tell the truth,
• Stay awake, when we should sleep.
Could it be that fear controls your responses and decisions much more than you think? The Lord gave us His perfect love when He saved us, not a spirit of fear.
I read that while a man was robbing a bank a woman boldly came up to him and told him to put his gun down, and give himself up. Everyone wondered what gave that woman such tremendous courage? They quickly found out she was the man’s mother, and her love for her son overcame any sense of fear. This was a wonderful example of the truth the apostle John wrote; “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18).
“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him” (Psalm 34:7).
This is a great verse to share with your children. Most children have certain innate fears, but if we help them make God’s promises a part of their earliest memories, we have helped them for their journey in life. Share this Scripture with them and tell them, “You have an angel and your angel is protecting and guarding you all the time no matter where you are.” Then share with them another one of God’s promises found in Psalm 91:11:
“…He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”
God-sent angels are watching over God’s children, protecting us every minute, “…Angels are… servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Pastor Mark Martin
Calvary Community Church
