Fear Nots

Hebrews 2:15 tells us that one thing is powerful enough to hold people in bondage all their lives — the fear of death. But the apostle Paul spent an entire chapter of 1 Corinthians explaining how Christ, by His resurrection, defeated death: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

The Tables Have Turned

Satan will capitalize on any opportunity to make us fear the future or doubt God’s care for us. But if God has met our greatest need —forgiving our sin and providing eternal life with Him — doesn’t it stand to reason that we needn’t fear anything less threatening than death?

Just the thought of the reality of God causes the demons of hell to tremble in terror (James 2:19). Contrast that with Satan’s first appearance in human history in the Garden of Eden. He moved confidently into God’s garden and convinced Adam and Eve to disobey God. And that caused Adam to tremble with terror (Genesis 3:10). When Jesus Christ was confronted by a still-confident Satan in the Judean wilderness, Jesus resisted his temptations (Matthew 4:1–11).

When Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave, the threat of death was taken away from Satan through the resurrection.

In Genesis, Satan was confident, and man was trembling. Several thousand years later, the demons tremble in terror, and men — at least those who belong to Jesus — are confidently fearless: “O Death, where is your sting?” The tables have turned.

From Fear Knots to Fear Nots

Jesus’ victory over death gives us complete freedom to move from fear knots to fear nots. Here are five fear nots that give us every reason to declare triumph in our lives:

1. “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord’” (Exodus 14:13). Fear not when you are stuck between a rock and a horrible, hard place. God can part the sea and lead you through.

2. “When you go out to battle … do not be afraid of [your enemies]” (Deuteronomy 20:1). Fear not when you are outnumbered by your enemies. You and God are a majority.

3. “And the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go down with him; do not be afraid of him’” (2 Kings 1:15). Fear not when you don’t know what to do. God will guide you.

4. “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria” (2 Chronicles 32:7). Fear not when you face those in power or authority. God rules over the kings of the earth.

5. “Fear not, for I am with you … I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you” (Isaiah 41:10). Fear not when you are weak. God will strengthen you.

Fearless Living

God was addressing lack of direction, enemies, need for guidance, ungodly rulers, and weakness.

Do any of those situations sound contemporary to you? They do to me! I have been there, and I believe you probably have too. Those, and many more, are situations in which God says, “Fear not!” Because Christ has conquered death, our last great enemy, there is nothing that you and I have to be afraid of in this life.

Read, study, memorize, and claim God’s fear nots — and live the fearless life you were created to enjoy.