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FAITH OVER FEAR

Fear was the first reaction that Adam and Eve experienced after they sinned. It was the initial challenge they faced in the wake of their transgression. Even today, sin brings fear. Furthermore, fear itself is sinful because it hinders our faith in the Lord. To overcome fear, we must replace our fearful thoughts with thoughts of faith. This can be achieved by reading and listening to Bible verses about who the Lord is and what He can do. Eventually, you will develop faith in the omnipotent God and overcome fear.

The Faith of Abraham: Promises Believed in the Face of Impossibility

Consider first the patriarch Abraham, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. Called to leave his home without knowing where he was going, Abraham stepped into the unknown, sustained solely by faith in God's promises. Though he was old, and his wife Sarah beyond the age of childbearing, Abraham "believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6). His faith was a direct defiance of his fears—fear of childlessness, of obscurity, of failure. Thus, through faith, he became the progenitor of a great people, as God had promised.

David and Goliath: Faith Conquers Fear on the Battlefield

Reflect on the young shepherd David, who faced the Philistine giant Goliath armed only with a slingshot and a profound trust in God. Surrounded by soldiers paralyzed by fear, David stood out for his unshakeable faith. He declared confidently, fueled by previous victories delivered by God against wild beasts, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:37). His faith, not his weapon, proved mightier than Goliath’s fearsome presence, showing that true power lies in divine reliance.

Embrace Faith, Reject Fear

These scriptural accounts vividly illustrate that faith is not merely a feeling but a potent force that actively confronts and conquers fear. As believers, we are called to embody this truth, trusting in the Lord’s power and presence in every trial. Remember the exhortation from Hebrews: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Let us then, like these faithful servants, choose faith over fear, standing firm in the assurance of what we do not see, confident that God is with us, always.

Reflection Time:

1. Consider how you can emulate Abraham's faith when facing decisions without clear outcomes.
2. Reflect on how you can apply David's reliance on God's past faithfulness to your current fears.
3. Consider the importance of focusing on Christ and His power rather than the fearsome circumstances around you.

Make it a point to memorize the scripture in this devotional.