Saved From Fear

"And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven...men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Luke 21: 11, 26 NKJV)

We are living in the last days of the "last days" and the signs of it are seen in the widespread fear, phobias, anxieties, worries, stresses, and paranoia, that exists in our fallen, cursed, and morally corrupt world; And yet this present "fearful state" of things is but a small miniature of the fears yet to seize the hearts of sinners who have not repented of their sins nor have come to Christ.

All the world, just prior to the coming Day of Judgment, and the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, will no doubt begin to "sense" this "impending" judgment or "crisis." (Note: The English word "crisis" is but the transliteration the Greek word for 'judgment' in the N.T.) Today the word "crisis" is more and more frequently heard.

"The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”" (Isaiah 33: 14 NKJV)

Were they not afraid because they sensed coming judgment and knew they were guilty? What reason have the justified to fear coming judgment? What reason do the rightous and obedient have to fear? What reason does the child of Jehovah have to fear of Jehovah's coming judgment upon those who do not know him?

"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries...It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10: 26, 27, 31 NKJV)

Those who have not repented of their sins and come to Christ for salvation, for justification, and to obtain forgiveness of sins truly do have something to fear!

"The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted." (Proverbs 10: 24 NKJV)

Man's fears ought to drive him to the one place of shelter and safety, to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior sent and provided for sinners. "Put them in fear, O LORD, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah " (Psalm 9: 20 NKJV)

The fears of man stem from his fallen and condemned state under God, being the result of his sin and rebellion against his Maker. Man's fears prove his condemnation and his condemnation proves the presence of his Judge, yea, of Lord God. Man's phychology is an evidence of the existence of God.

"In spite of this they still sinned, And did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore their days He consumed in futility, And their years in fear." (Psalm 78: 32 NKJV)

Again, the reason why men spend their lives in multitudinous fears is because they are condemned sinners before the Lord and lack real trust in God, and in his word, and continue to resist him, and continue failing to confess and to turn from their sinful ways.

"A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident...In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge." (Proverbs 14: 16, 26 NKJV)

Yes, one of the spiritual "coping mechanisms" that Satan (as the wisest Psychiatrist among created beings!) has provided for sinners, is to get them to misplace their confidences and provide them with false reasons for assurance against ultimate calamity.

The world sings songs like - "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" and the Devil teaches them, subliminally, to apply that mental salve (philosophical outlook on life and the after-life) to soothe their consciences, that testify to them of coming judgment.

But, really, only those who are "safe in Christ" can truly sing such a song, for they know that "with the righteous it shall be well" (Isaiah 3: 10 KJV) and that, having entered into Christ, they are accounted righteous in him.

"So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”" (Isaiah 66: 4 NKJV)

So, man does spend his days of sin and rebellion in fears and anxiety, and these increase as he increases in his rebellion. Oh what fears has God yet in store for our corrupt world!

In our day, like in the days of David and Jeremiah, we can say:

"For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side..." (Psalm 31: 13 NKJV)

"Do not go out into the field, Nor walk by the way. Because of the sword of the enemy, Fear is on every side." (Jeremiah 6: 25; 20: 10 NKJV)

And, we know as Christians, according to the words of Christ, and his apostles, that great fears are yet to seize our world.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23: 4 NKJV)

"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 NKJV)

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34: 4 NKJV)

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah" (Psalm 46: 1-3 NKJV)

The above verses promise freedom from fear to those who are saved through the gift of regeneration, and through the gifts of faith and repentance, and through God given perseverence in the faith of Christ. Praise be to God!

"And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies." (Psalm 78: 53 NKJV)

"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118: 6 NKJV)

"But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1: 33 NKJV)

"The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe." (Proverbs 29: 25 NKJV)

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"...Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you,” says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’" (Isaiah 41: 10, 14 NKJV)

"Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘ Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen." (Isaiah 44: 2 NKJV)

Who does not want to be delivered from fears? Are man's present "home-made remedies" working to alleviate his fears and his dread? Sinners spend lots of time and money on finding salvation from their fears on these useless remedies. Only God can give inner assurance from fear.

"But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." (Matthew 8: 26 NKJV)

Fear stems from unbelief!

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 28 NKJV)

Even Christians need constant encouragement in how to live above their fears, and how to have freedom from worry and anxiety.

"To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear." (Luke 1: 74 NKJV)

Is that not the desire of all men? To live one day without fear? To dwell in complete safety and without worry and anxious care?

"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”" (Romans 8: 15 NKJV)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1: 7 NKJV)

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham." (Hebrews 2: 14-16 NKJV)

You can have deliverance from even the greatest of all fears, the fear of death and of coming judgment! Hallelujah! What good news indeed!

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2: 10 NKJV)

"Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “ Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”" (Isaiah 35: 4 NKJV)

Oh the fearlessness of the one who is mentally reclining in the bosom of Christ, in his very heart and soul! What grand assurance and courage does Christ graciously give to the repenting contrite sinner!

"Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You." (Psalm 119: 38 NKJV)

"The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread." (Isaiah 8: 13 NKJV)

God is the only one who is to be feared! And yet, the fear that the righteous have, as opposed to all feigned fear, lacks dread. The sinners in Zion, and the hypocrites, feared and they also dreaded. Oh the ill feeling that comes from dread! The fear of the righteous, towards God, has reverence and awe with it, but the fear of the wicked lacks both.

"Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh." (Proverbs 3: 25 KJV)

Friend, do you need deliverance from your fears? The verses in this study show you the way.