“The Sum of All Fears ”
Psalm 56:1-13
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Over the years there have been several TV programs and even movies that have dealt with the issue of fear. There was even one called “The Fear Factor” from which I borrowed today title. I saw a trailer recently where individuals/contestants are exposed to the things that they fear most. Snakes, spiders and such can be seen regularly on this program.
First: Notice that there are times when we are fearful.
I. Our Time – “What time…”
1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
A. It’s reality
I don’t know anybody who has not experienced fear at some time in their life. As a matter of fact, anyone who claims to have never experienced fear cannot be trusted to tell the truth about anything else! Even Medal of Honor winners will tell you that they were afraid when they did what they did to merit this great tribute to their courage. Think of it, some of God’s choicest servants experienced fear, like David who slew the giant Goliath and fought in countless other battles afterwards to unify the nation of Israel, being afraid and you begin to grasp the size and scope of this issue. Elijah, who stood up to King Ahab, called down fire from heaven and slew the 400 prophets of Baal, ran like a scarred jack rabbit when he heard Jezebel’s threats. Moses fled Egypt because he feared the wrath of the king. Gideon had to be constantly reassured of God’s presence because he was afraid. The list just goes on and on.
B. It’s regularity
It must also be said that we are afraid more often that we would care to admit. I can say tell you honestly that I personally experience fear and uncertainty on a daily basis! There are as many fears and phobias as there stars’ in the sky! Just look and any medical text book and you will see what I mean. We experience fear regularly and often.
C. It’s reaction
Fear makes people do all kinds of things. I came home one evening after work and found my wife up on the couch. Seems that a mouse had claimed the living room as his domain! Have you ever seen the cartoons where a few mice run off a herd of elephants? It’s funny when we see it in the cartoons but for most of us fear is not to be laughed at.
Second: What makes us afraid?
II. Our Timidity – “…I am afraid…”
A. Our deeds
Often times we are afraid because of what we have done as in the case of Adam and Eve. Whether by fear of exposure or punishment we are afraid.
Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Luther on Fear
ILL - Martin Luther made this interesting observation in his Table Talk. God and the devil take opposite tactics in regard to fear. The Lord first allows us to become afraid, that he might relieve our fears and comfort us. The devil, on the other hand, first makes us feel secure in our pride and sins, that we might later be overwhelmed with fear and despair.
{Morgan, R. J. 2000. Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) . Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville}
B. Our dangers
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Charles Allen in “Victory in the Valleys.”
5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. "It’s dark in there and I’m scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It’s OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"
C. Our death
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Third: What is the answer for our fear?
III. Our Trust – “…I will trust in thee…”
A. The decisiveness – “…I will…”
There comes a point when we must decide who and what we will trust. Sometimes this happens early on and at other times unfortunately it comes when we “get to the end of our rope” but we will never be free from fear until take this step.
ILL - At the end of WWII the Japanese government faced a similar problem with thousands of soldiers who were hiding in the jungles and mountains in the South Pacific. Although the treaty with the U.S. had been signed and the war was over, thousands of Japanese soldiers living in the mountains and jungles of the South Pacific islands would not come out of hiding, surrender their weapons, and return to their homes to live in peace. These soldiers had been so indoctrinated with stories of what the Americans would do to them if they surrendered that they believed they would face certain torture or immediate death, so they remained in hiding and ready to fight. How could the Japanese government convince these die hard warriors that the war was indeed over and they were not just hearing American propaganda designed to capture unsuspecting soldiers? Finally, the Japanese Emperor made a speech detailing the end of the war and pleading with them to return home. The voice of the Emperor was broadcast by radio and recorded to be repeatedly played on loudspeakers directed into the jungles and mountain caves where these men were hiding. One by one the Japanese soldiers accepted the assurance of their Emperor and turned themselves in. Some waited to be certain the war had indeed ended, but within a few months all but a few had surrendered. After some years, it was assumed all of these hidden soldiers had been accounted for; those still missing were presumed dead. However, in March of 1974 a Japanese soldier finally came out of hiding, 29 years after the war was over. When asked why he had remained in hiding so long, this warrior now in his sixties said it had taken him that long to get over his fears. The U.S. and Japan had shared a friendly relationship for years, but this lone soldier had wasted 29 years hiding from an enemy he still feared within his mind (Healing of Memories, David Seamands). Can you imagine being held captive by your fears for 29 years? Imprisoned, not by an invading army, not by a cruel dictator, but held captive by the fear within your mind.
B. The dependence – “…trust…”
Trust and faith are synonyms and are interchangeable in Scripture.
ILL - Scratched on the walls of one of the Nazi prison camps were the words, “I believe in the sun even when it does not shine. I believe in love even when it is not expressed. And I believe in God even when He is silent.”...
C. The deliverance – “…in thee…”
Psalms 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
In verse 8 David speaks of his tears. Have you ever been so afraid that it brought to tears? That’s probably been true of all of us for fear is one of the most powerful emotions that we experience. In fact, it is so powerful that we speak of being “frightened to death,” and some folks really have been!
Psalms 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me…
TEARS AND TRUST (From a sermon by Jeff Strite, Citizenship Has Its Privileges, 7/3/2011)
ILL - Years ago, when my nephew Josh was about 9 years old we were out in the yard playing tag. He had tagged me and was running for all he was worth to get away from me. He was laughing and laughing as he looked back at me chasing him. Then he turned around and ran into a tree. It knocked him right off his feet and I swear he took a bite right out of the tree bark. A couple of his teeth were loose and bleeding and he was crying uncontrollably. My sister, along with his aunt tried reasoning with him - telling him the bleeding was temporary, and that his teeth would be ok... but he just kept on crying. Realizing this wasn't working, I asked them to step aside and I sat on the bed beside him. I gently put my hands on his shoulders and told him "Josh look at me." And he did. "Do you trust me?" I asked. He nodded. "Josh... You’re gonna be ok. Your teeth are gonna be just fine. Do you trust me on that?"
He nodded again... and the tears dried up.... And he went outside to play. All the reasoning in the world wasn't going to change how he felt. But his trust in me did. It all depends on who you trust!
WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE
ILL - A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly the doctor said, "I don’t know." "You don’t know? You, a Christian man, does not know what is on the other side?" The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear." "I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I will pass through it with gladness, but with no fear."
How do we overcome fear? The answer is to have faith in God for faith is the opposite of fear and the only antidote for fear.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Have Faith in God
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.
Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.
Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.
Have faith in God though all else fall about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own:
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish.
He rules. He reigns upon His throne.
Refrain:
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.
