Week 11 Day 4 Devotions
Fear Not
“They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.” Luke 24: 37
It is not fun to be afraid. Fear is an emotion that is well known. It is produced by a sense of danger, impending calamity or some dire emergency, or even by walking into a dentist's surgery. It is a powerful emotion that can damage both the physical body and the personality. Fear can even block the thought processes.
Several years ago, a televised circus act with Bengal tigers was broadcast live. The tiger trainer went into the cage with several tigers to do a routine performance. The door was locked behind him. The spotlights highlighted the cage, the television cameras moved in close, and the audience watched in suspense as the trainer put the tigers through their act. However, in the middle of the performance, the lights went out! For 20 or 30 seconds the trainer was locked in a dark cage with Bengal tigers, a whip and a chair. The tigers could see the trainer, but he could not see them! After the event was over, in an interview, the trainer was asked how he felt about his situation in the cage. He first admitted to the chilling fear of the situation, but he pointed out that the tigers did not know that he could not see them. He said, "I just kept cracking my whip and talking to them until the lights came on. They never knew I could not see them as well as they could see me."
This story says something about many fears. Face them and go on doing the best you can. As a child you may have had a fear of the dark. As an adult you may fear failure or rejection, the future, some potential health crisis, or your death or the death of a loved one. The Bible has the answer for our fears.
In 1 John 4:18 we are told: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear...." Christ's love is the perfect defense against the physical and mental effects of fear. Paul, in Philippians 4:13 said it this way; "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." As pointed out yesterday, the phrase "fear not" is found at least 365 times in various forms throughout the Bible. One writer said it this way: "The greatness of our fears shows us the littleness of our faith."
We need to pray about our fears and our faith, and turn to the Lord for help to face our fears.
Father, 'tis thine each day to yield
Thy children's wants a fresh supply;
Thou cloth'st the lilies of the field,
And hearest the young ravens cry.
On thee we cast our care; we live
Through thee, who know'st our every need;
O feed us with thy grace, and give
Our souls this day the living bread. (226)
