Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedomናሙና

  

I Will Fear No Evil

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:1–4, NIV). 

Sheep are not known for their intelligence. They are totally dependent upon their shepherd to protect them, to guide them to safety, and to direct them to both food and water. David recognized that the Lord protected, guided, and rescued him just as he did for his sheep. Being a shepherd was not without its own risk. David told King Saul, “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear,” so he knew all too well the perils that sheep continually faced. As the Lord protected David, so Jesus will protect you. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11, NIV). As you know, Jesus did lay down His life for His sheep. 

Do you need a shepherd today? Do you fear any evil? Peter tells us to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8, NIV). In many ways, fighting an actual lion may be more desirable than dealing with Satan because you can see the lion. Satan, on the other hand, is unseen, cunning, and he doesn’t fight fair. Jesus says of Satan, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10, NIV). 

So how does one keep from giving in to fear? First of all, you have to realize the safest place is being next to the Shepherd. The closer you are to the Shepherd, the safer you are. It’s when you wander off on your own away from the pack that you are most vulnerable. Don’t let the enemy isolate you. There truly is safety in numbers, so you need to surround yourself around a body of believers. You also have to realize that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4, NIV). 

Stick close to the Shepherd and follow His voice. He will lead you away from trouble and in the end, your story can end like David’s. “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6, NIV). 

Prayer: Jesus, You said, “My sheep listen to My voice” (John 10:27, NIV). Help me to be able to discern Your voice from that of the enemy. May I not be deceived and follow the wrong voice. You are my Shepherd and I will follow You and dwell in Your house forever. In Jesus name, amen.