How Can I Fear When Jesus is Near?

5/1/2020

This is a breakout post from our 27-day devotional, Come and Gather: Family Time With God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather. You'll find this post featured in Part Two: Days 6-10 A Walk Through God’s Word.

The theme we are looking at today is fear. It certainly seems appropriate for the times we're currently living in! It's easy for us to be fearful, but the Bible tells us over and over again not to fear. Psalm 56::3, 11 says:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

To be afraid, or experience fear, is not a delightful experience.

While some thrive on the rush of adrenaline received from an exciting ride at an amusement park, or the suspense of a well-written mystery, to live in a daily state of fear is a terrible lot in life.

Society has those individuals who, because of a phobia (an irrational, excessive, persistent fear of some particular thing or situation —Webster), have lost the ability to function as normal citizens. Christianity too, has those who have lost sight of the sovereignty of God so much so that they have become unable to function as they ought to in the family of God.

Fear comes in degrees, and it also changes with age. While there are not many adults who are afraid of the purple-spotted, green-eyed monster in the closet (or at least they won’t admit to it) there are plenty of mature individuals who fear where the money will come from to pay their bills or whether or not they will be the next one laid off at work.

How should a Christian handle these situations?

The Psalmist honestly acknowledges his fear and the dreadful circumstances he finds himself in. However, he also boldly proclaims his faith and dependence upon a sovereign, compassionate God.

Whether it was rumor, plotting, or ambush (Psalm 56:5-6), David was confident that God could and would preserve him.

"All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life." Psalm 56:5-6

September 11, 2001 was a day of great sorrow, anger and fear for the people of the United States. It was also a day of great awakening as many realized their need for a Savior and cast their cares and fears at the feet of God. How foolish it would be to pick those fears up again and carry them through life.

Ron (Patch the Pirate) Hamilton wrote a beautiful song entitled How Can I Fear for his young son. The last verse and the chorus go like this:

“Jesus is King, He controls everything;
He is with me each night and each day.
I trust my soul to the Savior’s control; He drives all fear away.
How can I fear? Jesus is near. He ever watches over me.
Worries all cease; He gives me peace.
How can I fear with Jesus?”

May God give us the grace to live each day in the quiet confidence of His control over our lives. There is no fear when I realize Jesus is near!

Come and Gather: Family Time with God

Introducing Come and Gather: Family Time with God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

Gather is a lovely, 35-page, daily devotional centered around families enjoying time together with God and each other.

This 27-day devotional is divided into 3 parts:

Part One: Days 1-5, is written specifically with husbands and wives in mind. In this part of Gather, husbands and wives will explore 5 Signs of a Functional Family.

5 Signs of a Functional Family includes:

Part Two: Days 6-20, is written with the whole family in mind. It's A Walk Through God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we will discuss subjects like God's mercy and protection, being humble, dealing with difficulties, having a teachable spirit, dependence on God, and much more.

Part Three: Days 21-27, is a Men of God Character Study. We'll learn character traits that every Christian should strive to demonstrate in their life straight from characters in God's Word.

At the end of Gather, you'll find a place for your family to record specific prayer requests. I love being specific with my prayer request and seeing God answer in specific ways. Recording the answers, as well as the requests, is a great way to help your children see God working in your lives.

Join the movement today and download Gather for free today!

What passage of Scripture do you claim to combat fear?

Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut