The Bible says the Lord will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4). Like a mother bird the Lord protects us under His wings from a storm or a hurt. The Lord provides His comfort and safety from all the wind and rain in life’s storms.
We all go through challenges and set-backs; however, we can face them without fear when we turn to the Lord our God in prayer. The Lord said He would “never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5).
The Bible identifies two types of fear. The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This kind of fear does not mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it means reverence of God’s power and glory. It also means giving proper respect for His wrath and anger which come through Him and His attributes such love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness, longsuffering, temperance, and faithfulness. The Bible says the fear of the Lord bring us many blessings and benefits. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding has all those who do His commandments.” Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23). “The fear of the LORD is a foundation of life, to avoid the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27) and “provides a security and a place of safety for us” (Proverbs 14:26).
Therefore, we can truly say that fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not healthy at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” A spirt of fearfulness does not come from the Lord our God.
On life’s journey, sometime we are afraid, and the spirit of fear can come over us. When this happens’ we need to trust in and love God with all our heart, soul and mind. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. God knows that we are not perfect and therefore He give us Scripture verses of comfort against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, the Lord God gives us comfort and hope. Therefore, the key to overcoming fear is totally and completely trusting in God and refusing to give in to fear.
Scripture Verses for Meditation:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” ~ Psalm 27-1-2
“Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.” ~ Psalm 25:12
“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” ~ Psalm 25:14
“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities.” ~ Micah 7:19
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” ~ Isaiah 43:25
“So, we may boldly say; the LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man to do me?” ~ Hebrews 13:16
“Yea, 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.” ~ Psalm 23:4
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” ~ Psalm 23:6
Additional Bible Verses …. Psalm 80; Mark 10:45; John 10:10; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 11:29; John 14;27; 1 John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 13:14; 1 Samuel 17:7; Psalm 73:28: 2 Corinthians 1:7; Psalm 147:1-11.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help me to choose good and not evil. Help me to choose strength, and not weakness. Make me, Lord, to yield myself to You and not to fear. Lord, help me to use the full power of the Holy Spirit You have given me to overcome fear in this world. O Lord, I surrender my life to You and realize the power of the Holy Spirit that is within me to overcome fear. Help me to use the power You have given me to overcome all fear and difficulties in myself through the help of my Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.
All Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Contributor for Moments of Meditation and Scriptural Readings; email: cburns@naavets.org