Scripture: Job 3 v 25:
"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me."
From the beginning of time, fear has been a tool in the hand of the enemy of our souls, to torment us and manipulate us into some form of compromise. Fear has broken up marriages; caused murders; suicides; alcoholism and drug addiction. It is a torment from Hell we do not need.
The psychiatrist's couch has heard of every phobia common to man. We watch the daily news and everything fearful is displayed before us. We discuss and agree that everything is getting worse, and fear grows within us like a cancer, gobbling up our peace, joy and love. We become enslaved to tranquilizers and anti-depressants, which wear off.
Jesus blessed us with His peace in John 14 v 27: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." His peace is a permanent barrier against fear. He did not just bestow it upon the believers of His day, but on all of us who follow Him throughout the ages.
In my personal experience the peace of Jesus has never left me since I got born again in 1974, although when something evil comes near me God uses it to warn me. I call it 'disturbing the peace' which allows a citizen's arrest! You can stop that thing in its tracks! And it works for me whenever something fearful plans an invasion.
From financial failure on a global scale which affects the well-being of all mankind; fear of some plague causing many to wear medical masks in public; fear of earthquake, tsunamis, floods, famine, war, Islamic militants, rape, to death - the list is endless. And unavoidable depending on your geographic position. But through the peace of Jesus it does not have to affect you unless you don't heed His warnings.
The Word says that fear has torment. It does torment us. Some fear alzheimer's or cancer or HIV//AIDS. There may be a history of heart disease in your family and you may fear that you will be struck down. Insurance companies thrive on our fears. In today's message Job cried out - that which I greatly feared has come upon me.
Fear is the opposite of FAITH. What you greatly faith also happens to you. Its your attitude to your environs that determines your outcomes. God has given His Word which we must live by faith. If we know the promises and blessings in His Word we will have no fear and the enemy will have no power.
The people of the world shun the Bible and faith in God so they are controlled by the Puppet Master called "The god of this world" who is Satan. He rules by fear and he is merciless, ruthless and cruel. The puppets he holds the strings of are the world leaders; the dollar; the world religions; the sinners. He manipulates all these from his unseen throne and in complete oblivion. He causes wars, outbreaks, disasters, divorces, corrupt governments to increase our fears and his control over us is strengthened.
Satan has his fears too. He fears true born again, Holy Spirit filled Christians. They have Jesus in their hearts and can identify him and stop his evil works. They can evangelise sinners and get them converted into Christian saints. He also fears the Jews, the Chosen people of God. His only method of dealing with them is total extermination by stirring up mass hatred throughout the world.
The words "fear not" are written 365 times in the Bible and are not a suggestion. If we believe Jesus can heal us because the Bible says By His stripes we are healed, then we will be healed. Jesus healed every sick person, and delivered every demon-oppressed or possessed person He came across. Blind, lame, deaf, palsy, fevers, even the dead came to life, when Jesus touched them. He has given this power to His followers. But some are afraid to try in case it doesn't work.
So if your life is filled with fear the Bible says perfect love casts out fear. Jesus is perfect love. Call on His name and cast that fear out. It is a spirit. In Timothy it is written, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but love, peace and a sound mind. So fear does not come from our merciful and loving God. If you are in a church being ruled by fear you are in the wrong kingdom. God says come out and be separated unto Me.
But whosoever you submit to he is your god. If you submit to Jesus, He is Lord over you; the only other spirit ruler is Satan so if you reject Jesus, you only have darkness lording it over you. The words 'I did it my way' are a lie. You respond only to the Lord Jesus Christ or His enemy Satan. You must choose whom you serve. Its why you are on this planet. The enemy gives you many confusing choices, our Father gives only One. Your choice determines your final destination.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise and worship You for sending Your Son Jesus to rescue us from the one who surrounds us with fears. Deliver us from the power of fear to trust Your love for us that protects us from all evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.
