Sermon # 16 - Overcoming Fears Of The Present Series

We read in Luke 21:26, “men fainting at heart from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” (YLT)

The disciples of Jesus enquired of Him as to what would be the signs that the end of days was close at hand. Jesus went on to explain in detail, all that would transpire in the last days before the second coming of the Lord. It was in this context that Jesus mentioned that men’s heart would faint with fear when they see all that would happen on the earth, and that the very powers of heaven would be shaken. The Greek root for the word ‘fainting with fear’ literally means ‘one wanting to give up their life.’

Before the year 2020, the world had faced many calamities, most of which were localized to one particular place, and would just be news to other parts of the world. For example, there may have been issues that the US, China, Russia or India encountered, which would be confined to that particular country only, with very little or no effect to other parts of the world. However, in recent times, the pandemic that we are confronted with, did not spared any part of the world, and this has created a sense of fear and panic in the hearts of people world-wide. As we go through this message, I hope God’s word will help us understand as to how we can cope with the fears that we are facing today.

Every day the messages that we receive, and the news that is being telecast has filled the hearts of many with dread. We will study the lives of two kings in the bible, both of whom heard news that made them fearful. However, there were men in their kingdom, who were not perturbed in any way by the same news, and we will study to understand why this was so.

The fearful challenge that the Israelites faced

When Saul was the King of Israel, the Philistines were constantly at war against the people of Israel. In one of these battles the Israelites were confronted with a strange challenge. Up until then the two armies would confront each other in battle, and one would win and the other be defeated. However, this was a peculiar battle.

We read in 1 Samuel 17:3-4, “And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” (ERV)

As the Israelite army stood on one side of the mountain, the Philistines stood on the other side. There was one man named Goliath from the Philistine army, who challenged the Israelites this way.

We read in 1 Samuel 17:10, And the Philistine saith, ‘I have reproached the ranks of Israel this day; give to me a man, and we fight together.’ (YLT)

This one man Goliath, challenged the Israelites to send one man from their side to fight against him. If that one man from the Israelite army was able to defeat Goliath then the Philistines would become their slaves, but on the other hand if Goliath won this duel then all of Israelites would become salves to the Philistines. This was a challenge that the Israelites had hitherto never confronted, which therefore it left them in a fearful predicament.

The pandemic that we encountered is one that we have never confronted thus far in our lives. It is a therefore a new kind of problem. Generally when faced with such unexpected calamities, it creates a sense of fear in the hearts of most people.

King Saul and his men were terrified

This was the reaction of Saul and his people to this confrontation by Goliath. We read in 1 Samuel 17:11, “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”(ESV)

King Saul who was the king of Israel and his entire army were dismayed and terrified at the sight of Goliath. Goliath daunted them because of his height, his weighty armor, his experience as a warrior, and the Israelites were sure they could never conquer such a mighty warrior. Saul had in his army certain soldiers who served him, who were brothers from the same family. The father of these young men called his youngest son and sent him to take some food for his brothers who were in the battle front. This young man was David, who was sent to inquire about the welfare of his brothers.

David was undaunted by Goliath

When David entered the battle field, he observed the way Goliath taunted the Israelites, and how the Israelites fled from his presence. David who heard this ridicule from Goliath was unperturbed and this is what he said to King Saul.