POTHOLES OF FEAR
Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 1
PSALM 27
INTRODUCTION:(Video-“What are you afraid of?” 2:12 www.sermonspice.com)
How would you answer that question? Now, being afraid of spiders, snakes, girls or heights may not be your particular phobia but there are countless concerns that can paralyze us. We fear failure, we fear being alone, we fear loss of income or jobs, we fear commitment, we fear rejection, we fear death, and on and on it goes. Yet throughout the Bible we are told, "Don’t be afraid," "Do not worry," "Be confident," "Trust in the Lord,” Fear not." But how do we practically accomplish that? How do we keep our fears from robbing us of a joy filled life? Well, Psalm 27 is a song that is designed to help overcome this particular bump in our road. It is written by a man named David, a man who knew God well and had faced many fears. David had to protect his flock from a bear and a lion, he had slain an enormous giant, he had escaped from the clutches of a mad King and he had fought against a violent and rebellious son. And yet through it all he was able to conquer his fear and trust God. In vs: 3 he says, "..my heart will know no fear.. I remain confident." So let’s look at this song where David with broad, bold advice maneuvers through this bump of fear.
I. THE CAUSES OF FEAR:
First, let’s look at the causes that can make us afraid. Let’s understand a basic truth to begin, and that is this: some fear is inevitable. There will be some times in your life where you will be afraid. Notice in vs:2 David does not say, "if evil men or foes attack..." -or in vs:5: "if troubles come..." He says "when" this happens. And there will be times in your life when you encounter fear. I can remember some times of fear. Once, as a police officer I was attacked by an angry crowd. I was knocked down from behind and several started kicking and punching me. As I lay on my side, what seemed like an eternity but was only 15 seconds until backup arrived, all I could do was protect my gun from being taken and wonder “is this it?” I don’t mind telling you, I was afraid. When our daughter, several years ago, was diagnosed as possibly having a brain tumor.. I was afraid! When I asked Deb to marry me... fear was there. But there will be times in your life where you will be confronted with the bully known as fear. As one writer puts it: "Fear lurks around every imaginable corner, it threatens to poison your inner peace and outward poise. It watches for your most vulnerable moment, then picks the lock that safeguards your security. Once, inside the vault of your soul, it strikes quickly to transform spiritual muscle into mental mush."
Jesus understood that we would experience fear at times in our lives. So, He advised us to choose our fears carefully. In Mt. 10:28- "Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Now, Jesus’ intention is not for us to be petrified of God but He’s giving a contrast here. He’s saying channel your fear to the right place. We ought to have a healthy respect and awe- fear - for God’s holiness and power. So, instead of thinking that fear will never come, understand that although it is inevitable, we can choose what we fear.
I think that the reason fear is so inevitable is that the causes are innumerable. Look at how many things David says he could fear. In vs:2- evil men, enemies, foes; in vs:3- armies; vs:5- trouble; vs:10- parental rejection; vs:12- false witnesses. There are so many things in this life that can cause us to be afraid. A recent edition of a South Florida newspaper carried this front page article entitled: "More informed public also more fearful." This article said, "Life expectancy in the United States is 77.6 years, up almost 15 years since 1940.. the death rate from heart disease has dropped 27% and death from stroke is down 44%.. Polio and smallpox, long the scourge of childhood, have all but disappeared... Despite this enormous improvement - and despite recent improvements in the health or our much brooded over environment - psychologists, sociologists and epidemiologist say we may well be the most frightened society in history. No reasonable person can deny that very real dangers lurk in all our lives, in our air, in our food and water supply and in other natural and artificial substances... The news media is partly to blame. Every day they acquaint us and focus on a new threat." You know that paragraph is right, part of the reason we are so fearful is because there is plenty to be scared about. It seems that the more we learn, the more we have to fear. Denise Ropiek in that article asks.. "Are we over reacting to everyday dangers that have been with us for decades? Have we started living like Chicken Littles being told the sky is falling?" Just think of the crime, the natural disasters, the terrorist acts. I mean, just check out any days newspaper and you find it is filled with the atrocities that happen to people. David understood this even 3000 years ago. Look at the intensity of the words that David uses about his fears.. Vs:2- "destroy," vs:3- "attack,"vs:10- "abandon," and vs:12- "violence."
We understand don’t we, that the causes of fear are real. The cases are inevitable, the causes are innumerable and the conflict is intense. So the question for us is not "Will I ever be afraid?" But.. "How can I handle the fears that come my way?"
II. THE CONTRASTING EFFECTS OF FEAR:
Now, not only are the causes real but fear can have a contradictory effect on our lives. I want you to see two different reactions of David in his song. (1) His fears are highly motivational. Look at vs:1-3- "The Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger - so why should I be afraid?” David is asking a hypothetical but none the less, critical question: “If God is for me, and since I believe He’s the Creator of the universe, then who or what could possibly make me uncontrollably afraid?” He goes on to say in vss:2-3- “When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident." In vss:5-6 his confidence continues- "...he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock...” David is so encouraging here. The times he has experienced fear have motivated him to place greater trust in God.
And we understand that not all fear is automatically bad. It can be highly motivational for us too. The right kind of fear can marshal your resources, produce extra-ordinary results, save your life.. even drive you to the Lord.. Fear can motivate us to do things we didn’t think were possible. I heard a story of the man who decided to take a short cut through the cemetery late one night. Because of the hour he couldn’t see the open grave that was in his path and with a thud he fell in. He desperately tried to get out but because it was so deep he couldn’t. Also, because it was so dark he didn’t realize that another traveler had previously fallen in the same open grave. As he made another attempt to jump to the top of the hole a voice behind him said, "You can’t get out." But he did! A healthy fear can lead to safety.
But notice the contrast, the other effect that fear has. In this same Psalm that bristles with confidence, that drives David to the Lord, fear also produced some apprehension, and it drove David to doubt. David cries out in vs:9- "Don’t hide yourself from me.. Don’t leave me now, do not abandon me, O God of my salvation." In Psalm 55:5 David writes: "Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can’t stop shaking." Wait a minute. Isn’t this the same guy who just said all those great things about being secure in the Lord? "Why should I be afraid?.. Why should I tremble?" Yes, but I think it shows us the contrasting effects of fear. Where one minute we can be highly motivated by it, the next minute fear can be highly destructive.
For example, fear paralyzes potential. Jesus told a story in Mt. 25 of three men who received money from their master. Two of the servants receiving money invested theirs and gained a substantial return to give to the master. But out of fear one servant just hid his in the ground. When the master returned he was furious with this servant. The servants answer? MT.25:24-25 "The servant given one thousand dollars said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. 25 I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money.”(MSG) "I was afraid.” Many people are like that.. They’re afraid to make a mistake so they never try anything. They prime the pump of worry before they even get the morning paper.
And fear ruins relationships. After Adam and Eve, the first couple, sinned, God called out to them asking where they were. How did Adam respond? "I heard You so I hid....I was afraid." (Gen.3:10) Once they had a perfectly comfortable relationship with God. No fear. But now sin has separated them by fear. And you hear similar language from people today. "I just couldn’t put up with that again, I was afraid I’d be hurt again." "I can’t go.. I’m afraid they won’t like me?"
And fear sabotages success. Prov.29:25- "A person’s fears set a trap for failure..." (GW) Wayne Smith said, "Fear sabotages success.. because when you won’t try.. you can’t succeed." Fear can have contrasting effects, it can motivate you to a closer walk with God or it can rob you of your joy, steal your peace and crush your contentment.
Let’s ask ourselves. When the fearful things of this life come, how do we react? When pressure mounts and the groundswell of fear invites panic, to whom do you turn? In terms of the Ghostbusters, “Who you gonna call?” In the words of Hudson Taylor, a missionary in China living under intense pressure and difficulty: "It does not matter how great the pressure is, or how powerful the fear. What really matters is where the pressure and fear lies- whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart." David knew the contrasting effects fear had... and so do we.
III. THE CONQUERING OF FEAR:
But David ultimately does not allow fear to control him or come between Him and God. When we look at the last two verses, we see that although the causes are real and even though the effects can create a hardship in their contrast, David, in the end, conquered his fear and allowed it to press him nearer to God’s heart. After all was said and done, David wrote in vss:13-14- "Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous." David’s song ending should encourage us. He was able to get over this bump of fear, so we can too. So, before we leave today I want you to see, 3 ways that our fears can be controlled not conquer us.
(1) Truth conquers fear. David reminds us that truth is not a concept, it is a person. He says in vs;1- "The Lord is my light.." "The Lord protects me..." You see, when we are fearful we don’t need a concept we need a person. And God has provided that help. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.(NIV) David realized that when he trusted the Lord to be his light then the darkness brought on by his fears faded. A little boy, who was afraid of the dark, was told to go to the unlit back porch and get the broom. He told his Dad he couldn’t because it was so dark and his Dad said, "Son, don’t be afraid, Jesus is out there." So the little boy went to the back of the house, opened the door, stuck his hand out into the porch and said, "Jesus, would you give me the broom?"
And much like that little boy, much of what we fear is not real. One study showed that 92% of things we fear never come to pass. I like the acrostic, Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real. Mark Twain once said, "I don’t believe in ghosts.. but I’m afraid of them." And we’re like that sometimes. But when we turn on the light, understanding life from God’s perspective our fears fade. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."(John 8:12) Truth, in the person of Jesus Christ, conquers fear.
2ndly, Love conquers fear. You know love is a powerful motivator. Love motivates us to give, sacrifice, to think of others before self. But it also can motivate us beyond our fears. Covington is a small village that is nearly perfect. Except that it is surrounded by woods that are inhabited by deadly beasts. Ivy Walker and Lucius Hunt have declared their love for one another and are engaged. But Noah Percy also loves Ivy and so stabs Lucius in a fit of jealousy. With Lucius near dead, Ivy, who is blind comes to her father to request the unthinkable.
Video clip - The Village - Chapter 15:56:48 - 59:40 = 2:53
Even though she is blind, even though she dreads the woods, her love compels her past her fear. Jesus Christ knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane and was so frightened that his sweat became as drops of blood. And yet His love for us and for God compelled Him to the cross. And it is that love that gives David his strength. In Hebrews 13:5 our Lord says, "I will never let you down. I will never walk off and leave you."MSG) 1 John 4:18 tells us this truth plainly: "Perfect love drives out fear."(NIV) That’s why David trusted God when fearful things happened. Because he knew that God’s perfect love could be counted on. That doesn’t necessarily get rid of the “bump” or difficulty. But it helps when we know that God is right there saying, “I love you. I will be there for you. We can get through this together.” His perfect love.
3rdly, Faith conquers fear. It boils down to a matter of trust doesn’t it? Do you believe that God will ultimately take care of you or not? When you feel your fears taking hold of you, ask yourself this question.. "Is God bigger than this problem?" In the end, David knew there was someone bigger than His fears, someone who loved Him and wanted His best and so he put his ultimate trust in the Lord.
I want you to notice the word "wait" that David uses in vs:14- "Wait patiently on the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently on the Lord. You see David’s faith is a realistic faith. He knows that the pressure would not suddenly leave, he had no magic wand or quick fix. He is realistic enough to know that anything worth having is worth waiting for. So he tells himself to relax.. to lay his fears down while he places God first. In fact, the word "wait" that David uses, is the Hebrew word which means "to twist or stretch." The noun form means "line, chord or thread." From those two forms a vivid picture of David’s faith emerges. It is describing the making of a strong, powerful rope or cord by twisting and weaving ourselves so tightly around the Lord that our weaknesses and frail characteristics are replaced by His power and unparalleled strength. It describes very literally the truth of what has been termed "the exchanged life." As we wait, our weakness is exchanged for His strength. That is what Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: "..those who wait on the Lord will find new strength."
How do we strengthen our faith? David mentions a couple of ways: (1) Coming to church with a seeking mind set. vs:4- "The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek the most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life..." One of the positives of coming to church regularly is getting to know about God more fully... about His love, about His promises, about the fact that He has your best interest at heart. The amazing thing about coming to church is that when we come with a seeking heart and mind, He takes that openness and strengthens our faith. Now, you can come to church and belligerently sit here and not learn a thing. But if you’ll seek Him.. Well, the Bible says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13 NIV) Notice the result of seeking Him is finding Him. Seeking and finding - two cords of a strong strand that will help you overcome your fears.
(2) Our faith is cultivated not only by knowing about Him, what He does but by getting to know Him on a personal basis, who He is. In vs:8 David shares his private, personal conversation with God. “My heart has heard you say, Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I’m coming.” The more you know Him personally the more secure and less fearful you will be.
I’ve seen the difference at a funeral for example, of those who know about God and His promises and those who don’t. It’s marked in it’s contrast. Those who don’t know God face not only their loved ones death but their own fears about dying. Those who do know God are still sad but only because they’ll miss their loved one not because they have no hope. David went to the Temple (church) because he knew that was one of the best ways to know God more fully. So our faith is cultivated when we seek to know about Him, when we get to know Him better and then (3) when we obey Him completely. David asks the Lord in vs: 11 - “Teach me how to live, O Lord.” I have learned that the stronger my trust in the Lord, the greater my obedience. That makes sense doesn’t it? The more you trust someone the more apt you are to do what they want. But have you learned that the opposite is true too? Not only, the stronger my trust, the more I obey but the more I obey the stronger my trust. Why? Because the more I obey his ways, the more He shows me that His way is the best way after all, leading me to completely depend on Him and I’m less fear filled and more joy filled.
So, remember that truth conquers fear because He is the "Truth the Way and the Life." Love conquers fear, because when we see His perfect love, our fears fade. And faith conquers fear. When we seek Him, when we know Him better and depend on Him and His ways, we learn then we can handle our fears because ultimately like David says in vs:13- “I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness...”
I am told that the African Impala can jump to a height of over 30’ yet then can be kept in any enclosure with a 3’ high wall. Why, when they could easily get over it? Because these animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will land. Beloved, faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life where only fear has been allowed to entrap us.
We started this message by asking, “What are you afraid of?” What do you fear? Loneliness? Jesus says, "Never will I forsake you, never will I leave you." Loss of income? His Word says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches." Do you fear death? Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he die...” People, God knows what fears you face. Why not face your fears and say with David. "I am confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait, patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.."
{Scripture taken from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted}
