Fear seeks to rob us of HOPE, not the type “hope” of a gambler, whose hope is one of uncertainty, but “HOPE” in God, the certainty of eternal realities of who He is and what He says! Confident expectation. FEAR THRIVES on a gambler’s type of “hope,” the hope of uncertainty, but is Conquered by the certainty of confident expectation of hope in God and His love for us personally! The certainty of Eternal realities fulfilled. God conquers fears because Hope’s foundation is built on love. -{Rom 5:5}. His “HOPE” assuring you that God Loves YOU-{Read Rom 5:4-5}. And His Love casts-drives out fear.-{Read 1 John 4:18}. Because GOD…Is…Love! And who can overcome God!-{1 John 4:8}.
Fear Feeds On Uncertainty.
WHAT IS FEAR AFRAID OF? BIBLICAL HOPE! Hope, the certainty and confidence in God, the certainty of His character, confidence in His promises being applied and relied on! Fear is afraid of such hope because its foundation is the LOVE of God, and His LOVE DRIVES OUT FEAR!- “…perfect love drives out fear,”-{1 John 4:18}
Fear and Anxiety Travel Together.
In Luke 12, Jesus speaks about seeking the Kingdom of God -{v 31}, as the priority, and He mentions three things that can divert, and displace that pursuit, namely FEAR,-{v4,7} ANXIETY,-{v 22, 26} GREED-{ v 13-21}. Fear and anxiety are mentioned twice, fear and anxiety travel together seeking to bombard your thought life, and emotionally to the end it turns people aside from seeking as the priority of life the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.-{v 31}
Fear Seeks To Discourage
Nehemiah recognized the assault on his faith beginning with fear, he says “For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, God, strengthen my hands. “= {Nehemiah 6:9}.
Note the order- fear- discouragement- quit, the work will not be done. Fear had a goal, To discourage which speaks of to lose heart– and causing the people to quit doing what God had said. Nehemiah counteracted through prayer and in the following verses proceeded to rebuild the wall.
Recognize the fear to seek to dishearten you from following the LORD is not from the LORD! Discouragement is not from the LORD. To Quit obeying Him is not from the LORD. Remember the order in Nehemiah’s life and learn from it Ask Him to help remind you and apply prayer and promises as the antidote!
So, you need to FEED your MIND with His Commands, Promises, SPEAK them to yourself, THINK about them often and He who promises, and allow the Holy Spirit to build up your faith, HOPE and focus, and see Him through His power to drive out those fears where they no longer master you but are stepping stones to remind you of the LORD Jesus, and cause you to turn to Him and in turning to Him receiving from Him reminders of why you need no longer submit to the terror of fears, for Christ has conquered them and His resurrection the proof, so settle down and nestle in His love for you. HOPE IN GOD!
The LOVE OF GOD IS THE FOUNDATION OF BIBLICAL HOPE IN GOD!
“And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, HOPE; and HOPE does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”-{Romans 5:3-5}.
“There is no fear in Love. But perfect love drives out fear-“-{1 John 4:18}
God is the Object of our HOPE.-{Psalm 33:20-22}
He is the God of Hope-{Romans 15:13};
“Our Hope is in Christ Jesus”-{1 Timothy 1:1}.
He is Your Hope!
“Now may the GOD OF HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will ABOUND {overflow} IN HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”-{Romans 15:13}
God bless,
Aidan,