Fear. It’s felt across the land and is daily reinforced by the news of current events. Our minds are fed a
consistent diet of negativity as we read (or listen to) the accounts of numerous natural disasters, crimes, and acts of terror. People have isolated themselves behind the closed doors of their home, or sit inside their locked vehicle, both of which are armed with security devices that are supposed to act as a deterrent to those who may wish us harm. Hoping to feel better – safer - the ‘protected’ have become the imprisoned ones. We live in bondage, yet the fear has not been stilled.
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, one definition for the word fear is: 1a. An emotion of alarm and agitation caused by the expectation or realization of danger.
Many times we fear what could happen as opposed to reacting to what is happening.
This fearfulness is not something new to the modern age and is a tool that Satan used, and continues to use, to keep us from living the life of freedom that is ours through Christ.
Cities designed and built in the modern day are quite different than the architectural structures contained within or around the cities of yesteryear. So too have the weapons of war changed over the centuries as mankind has developed ‘new and improved’ ways to fight battles and bring the most harm to their enemies. Our God has not changed, however, and the Psalms paint beautiful pictures of His protective attributes towards His children.
Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
What is a fortress? It is any place of exceptional security.
Psalm 91: 4 “…his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
We know in a general way what a shield is from watching movies of the Roman era, but what is one really? It is a piece of personal armor that is meant to intercept attacks.
And what of a rampart? That’s hardly a word that we have a reference point for in today’s world. Quite simply, it’s a defensive wall that is used to defend a city or settlement from potential aggressors.
Psalm 17:13 “Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.”
A sword is something that we are probably more familiar with than the other implements of war and protection listed above. It is another weapon of warfare with a long blade for cutting or thrusting. It is an instrument of destruction.
When these definitions are strung together, a more personal image comes to light about God’s protective nature towards us. He is our place of exceptional security; He intercepts attacks and defends us from potential aggressors; and He brings destruction on the wicked.
One definition of the word fear from The American Heritage Dictionary was given above, yet there is another definition of fear that is vital to grasp: 2. Extreme
reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power.
God is the most supreme power and by virtue of that fact, we should profoundly adore and respect Him, in complete awe, simply for who He is. This is a holy fear and the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and, once we accept it, the avenue that leads to the freedom that we have through life in Christ (Galatians 5:1).
Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my
fears.”
What is it that you fear today? God longs to set you free from every one of them. Fear or faith. Which will you choose? He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How
You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
consistent diet of negativity as we read (or listen to) the accounts of numerous natural disasters, crimes, and acts of terror. People have isolated themselves behind the closed doors of their home, or sit inside their locked vehicle, both of which are armed with security devices that are supposed to act as a deterrent to those who may wish us harm. Hoping to feel better – safer - the ‘protected’ have become the imprisoned ones. We live in bondage, yet the fear has not been stilled.
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, one definition for the word fear is: 1a. An emotion of alarm and agitation caused by the expectation or realization of danger.
Many times we fear what could happen as opposed to reacting to what is happening.
This fearfulness is not something new to the modern age and is a tool that Satan used, and continues to use, to keep us from living the life of freedom that is ours through Christ.
Cities designed and built in the modern day are quite different than the architectural structures contained within or around the cities of yesteryear. So too have the weapons of war changed over the centuries as mankind has developed ‘new and improved’ ways to fight battles and bring the most harm to their enemies. Our God has not changed, however, and the Psalms paint beautiful pictures of His protective attributes towards His children.
Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
What is a fortress? It is any place of exceptional security.
Psalm 91: 4 “…his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
We know in a general way what a shield is from watching movies of the Roman era, but what is one really? It is a piece of personal armor that is meant to intercept attacks.
And what of a rampart? That’s hardly a word that we have a reference point for in today’s world. Quite simply, it’s a defensive wall that is used to defend a city or settlement from potential aggressors.
Psalm 17:13 “Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.”
A sword is something that we are probably more familiar with than the other implements of war and protection listed above. It is another weapon of warfare with a long blade for cutting or thrusting. It is an instrument of destruction.
When these definitions are strung together, a more personal image comes to light about God’s protective nature towards us. He is our place of exceptional security; He intercepts attacks and defends us from potential aggressors; and He brings destruction on the wicked.
One definition of the word fear from The American Heritage Dictionary was given above, yet there is another definition of fear that is vital to grasp: 2. Extreme
reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power.
God is the most supreme power and by virtue of that fact, we should profoundly adore and respect Him, in complete awe, simply for who He is. This is a holy fear and the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and, once we accept it, the avenue that leads to the freedom that we have through life in Christ (Galatians 5:1).
Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my
fears.”
What is it that you fear today? God longs to set you free from every one of them. Fear or faith. Which will you choose? He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How
You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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