Fear Is Not A Factor

/ September 18, 2019

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)
Read:Isaiah 28:14-30:11, Galatians 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12, Proverbs 23:19-21

Relate: When God called Gideon to rescue Israel from the Midianites, the man was threshing wheat inside a wine press. He was camouflaging his work out of fear that the enemy might come and take his wheat and he would go hungry. An angel comes to him and calls Gideon a mighty man of valor. So mighty he waits until everyone’s asleep before casting down the idol. So mighty that his dad then had to stick up for him. So much valor that he put out a fleece because of his doubts… twice. And after that, God had to give him another confirmation through an enemy’s dreams. Gideon wouldn’t be at the top of my “mighty man of valor” list. But when God was looking who to call, his fear was not a factor.

When God called Moses to rescue Israel from Pharaoh, the man had a pile of excuses as to why he was the wrong man for the task. This was the guy who fled Egypt on the chance that his crimes might have reached the ear of Pharaoh. He’s now hiding out in the backside of the desert and when God personally shows up to tell him to go back Moses has a bevy of reasons why it should not be so. Again, we’re not looking at the bravest of souls. But when God was looking who to call, Moses’ fear was not a factor.

When God called Samuel to anoint David king of Israel, Samuel’s first response was, “If Saul finds out about this, I’m a dead man.” God doesn’t even acknowledge the statement. He simply adds more detail to His command and Samuel has to up and go. Samuel’s fear was legitimate. Saul would spend more than a decade chasing David around everywhere trying to kill him. If he could have nipped it in the bud, I’m sure he would have. Legitimate or not, when God called, Samuel’s fears were a non-issue.

React: What are my excuses? What are the reasons why I can’t do whatever it is God is calling me to do? Ultimately any excuses you or I might have are nothing more than our fears rationalized. To us, those fears might seem awfully legitimate, but compared to God they are not a factor. Whatever the source of those fears are it’s like a first-grade bully trying to intimidate Dewane Johnson. It’s just not possible. That bully might be able to scare me, another first grader, but when my Rock raises his eyebrow, that fear will be running away with soiled pants. The Rock’s power… My Rock’s power belongs to a whole different category.

Respond:

 

Dear God,
All too often I am looking at my problem, I am looking at my situation rather than looking to You. I’m hearing You call me but what I am seeing is all the reasons why it won’t happen. I’m listening to Your voice but I’m looking at the giants in the land. I’m simply afraid. Yes, I cover it up, rationalize my fear, and call it pragmatism but all it really is is a lack of faith. It is a lack of vision. Help me to look to You, and then keep looking to You and continue looking to You until You are all I see. Help me to see Your greatness and Your power until my fear is no longer a factor.
Amen

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23 thoughts on “Fear Is Not A Factor”

  2. “Ultimately any excuses you or I might have are nothing more than our fears rationalized.” Well said! I spent years rationalizing what are now just missed opportunities. I am just so grateful God didn’t stop pursuing. Great post, thanks for sharing. ~Blessings~

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  3. Very well said. Its interesting that you did this post today. Just a week ago, my pastor was preaching on the exact same subject in talking about Gideon. I have also been slowly working on a word study on that word fear-not on the fear of the Lord but on the kind of fear you talk about here. hmmmmm Think the Lord is sending me a message that i need to stop procrastinating on my word study! ya think?

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  4. Best post you’ve done yet. Excellent job. Focus on the real stuff, not the fluff they might like hearing fluff but ultimately it doesn’t effect anyone’s life. And I agree, “do we listen to the call” or pander to the flesh. I personally needed to hear this message again thank you.

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  8. I love the way God pays no attention to our excuses… Can’t think of one instance where God called someone to a task and then allowed the person to opt out..
    God don’t call on anything in us He has not already put in us….Great post!

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  11. Reblogged this on COURAGE TIMES THREE and commented:
    The U.S. needs a major wake up call bringing awareness to their Faithful deficits. Why are so many walking away from churches and being drawn closer to Hell? Do they not realize their eternal lives fall into dangerous sinkholes if they never even acknowledge God, to pray for everlasting peace and joy within themselves? God is real! God is perfect! Jesus was God’s son sent here to teach us the right word of His Father. The Holy Spirit is still here on Earth with us at all times. And the Holy Spirit is One in the Father, Son and self. Be aware! Be earnest and forthright in your humble beginnings and He will pave a path for you, leading you down the right paths in life. You have so much to gain and n-o-t-h-I-n-g to lose. Brelliott

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  13. Amen! I have the same desire to see Him and Him alone. I love in your prayer “Help me to look to You, and then keep looking to You and continue looking to You until You are all I see.” God is so good! The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1. Thank you for allowing the Spirit to use you to be such an encouragement.

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