We will not fear

Text: Psalm 46:1-11.
Introduction:

There is no doubt the Coronavirus pandemic has become a major problem, a great trouble that has caused a serious setback to the year 2020. Looking at how this pandemic has been affecting our world, especially our nation, has brought fears to many lives. Actually, that is what the devil likes to happen at times as this. But there are two ways to deal with the problem on ground: The way of fear or the way of faith. I choose FAITH. Fear can prevent man from fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. But freedom from fear is the secret of long life. The Webster’s Dictionary of English defines fear as “a painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil or the apprehension of impending danger.” The family members of fear are dread, terror, fright and death. According to the Bible, there are two kinds of fear, namely the good and the bad. The bad fear is the one that enslaves man to the Devil and his works. The good fear is our reverential attitude towards God. Suffice it to say that if you have one, you should be free from the other. That is why the Bible says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (1 Tim. 1:7) Fear is the Devil’s mode of operation to manipulate you with the mysterious and taunt you with the unknown. Aside the fear of contacting this dreaded disease, many today grapple with the fear of death, fear of failure, fear of losing job, fear of lack and many more. One thing I have seen the devil trying to achieve at a time like this is to rattle us with much fear, so that we take our eyes off what our Lord can do and surrender to fate. But the real cure of fear is faith, which arises out of our fear of God. If you fear God, you need not fear. As God’s children, the biblical approach to what is going on can be found in Psalm 46:2 and that is the topic of this message, “We Will Not Fear.”

(A) EARTHSHAKING EVENTS PRODUCING FEAR-
In Psalm 46, the Psalmist mentioned some earthshaking events that will attempt to produce fear in us like the coronavirus is trying to do. Some of them according to our passage are:

• The Earth being Removed. (2b)
• Mountains being carried to the Sea. (2c)
• The Waters roaring and being Troubled. (3a)
• The Mountains Shaking with its Swelling. (3b)
• The Nations Raged. (6a)
• The Kingdoms were Moved. (6b)
But the Psalmist insists that in spite of all these, earthquake is not the same as heartquake and earthshake should not become heartshake. We will not fear.

(B) Why We Will Not Fear-
The absence of fear is not temerity or natural courage. It is courage inspired by God and faith in Him. We have abundant reasons for saying, “therefore will not we fear.” The Psalmist made it clear that we will not fear, not because we are indifferent to what is going on, but because of some reasons, which he outlined. Some of them are;
• God is our Refuge (1a)
• God is our Strength (1a)
• God is our Present Help in Trouble (1b)
• We have a River whose Streams make us Glad (4a)
• God is in our Midst (5a)
• We shall not be Moved. (5b)
• God shall Help us Right Early. (5c)
• The Lord of Host is with us. (7a)
• The Works the Lord has done in the past strengthen us not to fear. (vs 8)
• What the Lord is doing, even in the current time, encourages us as well. (vs 9)

Therefore, in spite of what we are hearing and seeing, will not we fear. Our confidence in God shall remain unshaken and abiding. Having God for our refuge and strength, (Psa 46:1) we have nothing to fear. (Psa 56:11)

Because God is with us, we will not fear, but walk by faith. Faith is the victory over all challenges, including coronavirus. We will not fear.
Conclusion

As I close this message, let me explain to you briefly what FAITH means to me at a time as this. Faith at a time as this simply means:
• FACE the Facts on ground.
• ACT Wisely- Take necessary precautions, follow instructions given by our medical experts and leaders.
• INCULCATE Habits of Cleanliness, Godliness and Usefulness.
• TRUST in God. Let your trust in God remain unshaken. (Isa.50:7)
• HEED Divine Warnings. The events of these days are reminding us of the reality and imminence of the last days. It is time to take seriously the warnings/commands of the Almighty. All we need to do at critical moment like this is to be STILL. (10) Be still means stop struggling with God and acknowledge Him. Let us acknowledge God in all these things. God has a purpose for allowing this at this time. Shalom.

Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere, Shepherdhill Baptist Church, (Sanctuary of Grace & Glory) Baptist Academy Compound, Obanikoro, Lagos.
WhatsApp: 2348033052590.
Email: revkristilere@yahoo.com