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Devastating Effects Of Fear

by Wayne Cordeiro on January 21, 2021

Today's Reading:
Exodus 1,2; Psalms 88; Luke 21

Scripture

“Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, ‘Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.’ So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor.” (Exodus 1:8-11)

Observation

Although the people of Israel would always be grateful to Egypt’s rulers for saving them from famine, fear now gripped the new leader, and fear caused everything to change. Fear caused the new pharaoh to feel like he had to protect himself from possible mutiny or from any threat of betrayal. So, the afflictions began, and so did the enmity between the two nations. Fear causes us to build camps against one another. It fosters distrust. It makes us start believing deceptive imaginations. 

In Deuteronomy, we find that when someone is wrestling with fear, we must be very cautious! “… You will pass through the territory of your brothers the sons of Esau who live in Seir; but they will be afraid of you. So be very careful; do not provoke them … ” (Deuteronomy 2:4-5). So what will overcome this kind of debilitating fear?

The Scriptures tell us the “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). But you have to remember: Although Jesus had a perfect love, it did not guarantee loyalty. Even His closest friends ran when soldiers arrived. A perfect love knows God’s best, regardless of man’s response to it, and sticks with the Father’s priorities and standards.

Application

Perfect love refuses to compromise and accept the world’s way of success. Perfect love stays obedient even when things get tough. It refuses to let fear reign — the fear of poverty, not being heard, fear of missing out, being demoted, being marginalized, losing notoriety. Perfect love refuses to let fear of any of these things change our unflinching walk with God. Actually, it is perfect love that is stronger than the cross, mightier than the nails, and more courageous than the jeers and taunts of the crowd. 

Prayer

Father, this is a new kind of love, isn’t it? We settle for an emotional love or a human love. Your perfect love is the only thing that not only withstands fear but defeats it! Please impart this kind of love to my heart. Regardless of the outcome, I shall live in perfect love.


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