Facing Our Fears

The third area where God is all sufficient is in our salvation, which brings me to our second point about how we can face our fears.

2. God Redeemed Us

“Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’” (Isaiah 43:1 NKJV)

In Titus 2:13-14, Paul said, “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Redemption means that God has paid something for us.

The word, “redeem,” means, “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to the purchase of a slave’s freedom. It was also a term used in the ancient marketplace where someone could redeem or buy back what was once theirs, or a family member sold into slavery or as an indentured servant.

In a similar manner God has purchased our freedom from the bondage to sin and death through His Son. Jesus Christ has therefore redeemed us, buying us back by paying a very steep ransom price.

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20 NIV)

The Apostle Peter said, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

In Galatians 3:13 Paul said that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. This is exactly what Jesus said and the writer of Hebrews confirms as our eternal redemption.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

The writer of Hebrews said, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)

Sinfulness is our natural condition as the Bible so adequately points out in Romans 3:23 saying, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NKJV)

But the redemption provided by Jesus has freed us from the law of sin and death as the Paul went on to say.

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24 NKJV)

Therefore, we can face our fears, especially the fear of the future, because of the sacrifice Jesus made upon the cross redeeming us from the curse of the law, that is, sin and death.

The third way we can face our fears is knowing that…

3. God is With Us

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NKJV)

Now, before the Lord gave this to Isaiah, three young men believed it and weren’t afraid of the threat of death by fire.

When commanded to bow to king Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were the only ones left standing. They were standing faithful even seeing the potential consequences for doing so, the fiery furnace.