To Fear or Not to Fear
To Fear or Not to Fear
(#278 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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As we launch into this devotion, let us remind you of a critical pattern you must keep in mind at all times. We illuminated it in detail in devotion number 254. “The door of hope is in the valley (wilderness). Yahweh has chosen the wilderness as His place for revelation. And because the wilderness is the designated place of revelation, denial of the pattern leads to denial of revelation.”
When Yahweh gives you His word loved one, it is forever. Clarification comes from fresh revelation and fresh revelation comes from valley experiences which are meant to test your obedience. And you shall remember that Yahweh your Mighty One led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. (Deuteronomy 8:2)
Because mankind made decisions, those that brought eternal damnation, unnatural fear (paralyzing crippling fear and anxiety) became an option for carnal man. However, how often do you mistake the fear of Yahweh as a bad thing because of your inability to distinguish between a healthy fear of your omnipotent Mighty One and this unnatural damning fear? Your inheritance as sons and daughters of the King offers you to, “Fear not” with regard to this unnatural fear. You would be wise to walk in it. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear [paralyzing crippling fear and anxiety] involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18) Yahweh has declared, “Fear not, for I Am with you; be not dismayed, for I Am your Mighty One. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) At the end of this devotion you will learn how to be made perfect in love, how to “fear not!”
There is no clearer distinction between unnatural damning fears and the healthy fear of Yahweh than the words of Moses. “Do not fear; for the Almighty has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” (Exodus 20:20) The very day Moses was instructed to deliver the commands to the people we see the nuance; “Do not fear; be very afraid.” The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10) Reverence of Yahweh is the beginning of all wisdom, not anxiety or paralyzing crippling fear. Reverent wisdom teaches, “Don’t touch that; it will burn you.” Reverence is not fear that destroys; it is fear that preserves.
“Do not fear; for the Almighty has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” Loved one, the test is a good thing. It trains you to reverence Yahweh and fear sin. It helps you mature; it produces perfection. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
In essence, fear of all types can be used for good when you consider your choices. Fear of Yahweh brings wisdom and fear of sin brings perfection. And, in your valley experiences, you are tested on what choices you will make when you face great trials. If you are not sinning, then unnatural damning fear is impossible and you are made perfect in love! In conclusion, the question you might want to ponder is this; “Why does it take so much testing to teach me not to sin?”
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Yahshua the Messiah. (1 Peter 1:6-7)