Fear v faith
Gideon’s story – Judges 6 & 7
Here are the summary highlights
- Oppression and fear (v1-6) – the Midianites had crept onto their land. They were stealing from them and intimidating the Israelites on their own land. Reflect: In what ways has fear crept into your life?
- The necessities of faith (v7-12) – God sent a Prophet to speak the word and to remind the Israelites of their true identity! He reminded Gideon of the promises of God, v12 “The Lord is with you mighty warrior“
- The problem (v13) – sometimes it’s very hard to get our thinking and actions beyond the big ‘why’ question. ‘Why have you let this happen…or…why me?’ The way we deal with this is crucial. Between the promise and the provision is the ‘problem’. It takes faith and patience to inherit God’s promises (Hebrews 6v12) and to take hold of your inheritance.
- The root of fear (v14-16) – Gideon felt abandoned by God and utterly forsaken. He felt defeated. Fear does not lead us to the kind of overcoming life that God has for His children. (1 John 5:4). Fear believes the lie that we are forsaken.
So what was the key? 5 magnificent words:
“I will be with you!” – faith takes hold of the truth that we are loved and that God is with us!
When we feel forsaken and hope disappears then fear runs riot. The key though is that God wants us to FACE fear. Faith in God means learning to face fear. It means moving towards the thing that we fear! The only way to break the power of intimidation over your life is to learn to face it with God’s courage and with this promise ringing in your ears, “I will be with you”!
Perfect love – the secret to breaking free
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love“. 1 John 4v18
Agape love is self-sacrificing love. It is radical love and is born through surrender to God and as a response to the extravagant love of God in our own lives. Agape love is powerful and drives out fear.
This is because fear has to do with punishment (or a fear of consequences!). Perfect love is ‘saying’: I don’t care what happens to me if I do this, I am going to do it anyway! I am going to take the consequences, no matter what! My life is not my own! I belong to another! (Jesus my Redeemer)
Reflect: Do you understand the link between agape love and facing fear? If not reread the section above! Are you ready to abandon your own ways to embark on a new and wild adventure of faith that lives in ‘perfect love’ rather than fear of punishment (consequences)? All things are possible for he/she who believes!
5 beautiful words: “I will be with you!”
Believe it. Believe Him!
JS