Needless Fears
Isaiah 51:12-13
The fears by which God's saints afflict
themselves in this world are needless fears. I know they are real. Painful
experience has taught me that. But I also know that they are needless. The Word
of God teaches us that. They are all groundless, without foundation. They are
the product of unbelief. In these two verses of Holy Scripture the Lord God
chides us for our fear and unbelief.
"I, EVEN I, AM HE THAT COMFORTETH
YOU." That should be enough to drive away our fears. Our Comforter is the
Triune God, the God of omnipotence, sovereignty, immutability, and grace! He
comforts us by assuring us of his presence (Isa. 41:10), his purpose (Heb.
"WHO ART THOU THAT SHOULDEST BE
AFRAID OF A MAN?" What a rebuke this question is to every child of God who
walks in fear! Remember who you are - A child of God, chosen, redeemed, called,
and adopted by grace! Remember also that your enemies are mere creatures,
"Man that shall die...the son of man that shall be made as grass!"
Why should the children of the eternal God fear the wrath of punishing men?
"AND FORGETTEST THE
LORD, THY MAKER!" Fear is the forgetfulness of God. Whenever we are
engaged in fear we have forgotten the promises, power, providence, and past
performances of our God for us. How quickly "We forget
our Jehovah-jirehs, monuments of mercy in the mount of the Lord" (Matthew
Henry).
"WHERE IS THE FURY OF THE
OPPRESSOR?" Even when the oppressor is real and furious, there is no cause
for fear. His fury shall never be satisfied upon God's elect, for he has
absolutely no ability to hurt us. How much more this word applies to those many
imaginary dangers we invent in our unbelieving minds! May God give us grace to
trust him and not be afraid (Matt.
Don Fortner