Don’t be afraid

Don’t be afraid and don’t be terrified

1 Samuel 17:1-11.16.24.32-52

Goliath had impressive, invincible appearance. David had meagre appearance. Goliath went for the sake of temporal purposes, but David went for the sake of God’s name and for this reason he won.

He didn’t use the same gun as the enemy did in his battle, of course in some stage he used it but only when the enemy was killed (David has cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s sword). We also in the certain way use state’s laws to defend ourselves.

David’s words. Psalms. 37:16-20.

The view of obstacles is fearful. But nothing should be terrifying with God.

Examples during the times of crisis:

1)    Israel leaves the land of Egypt. Exodus 14:6-20.

2)    Entering Canaan. Number 13:28-34. 14:1-9.

3)    In the days of Mordecai.  Esther 4:13-14.

4)    Giant statue in the Daniel’s days. Daniel 2.

5)    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel 3:16-18.

6)    Beasts according to Daniel and Revelation’s prophecies. State’s systems were changing, falling down, and they were terrifying.

7)    Emperor of Rome Valerian prosecuted Christians and made them slaves. And later himself become a slave in Persia.

8)    The whole world was against Christ and his disciples (followers). It was in the days of Pope and in our days as well. When the force is used, it shows that God’s blessings are absent (1 Samuel. 17:45.50).

It seems that God’s nation is meagre, poorly educated, and knows nothing. How many times Christians were announced to be killed or come to an end of existence in the period of Rome Emperors. But they are alive.

Apostle Paul wrote: “As though we were dead, but as you see, we live on”. Their hope was God: for this reason they were winning.

Consessions (compromises) do not lead to victory. They only lead to defeat. We can’t be slaves to people, not only in literal sense, but in spiritual too. We can’t breach the truth due to please people. It’s necessary to show  patience, courage, and firmness.

“Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today… The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still” (Exodus 14: 13-14).

“Be determined and confident” (Moses to Joshua) (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

“Do not rebel against the Lord and don’t be afraid of the people who live there… The Lord is with us and has defeated the gods who protected them; so don’t be afraid” (Numbers 14:9).

“It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldy motives.The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

The future battle and victory is described in Ezekiel 38:10-12. 21-23.

Psalm 44:6-7: “I do not trust in my bow or in my sword to save me; but you have saved us from our enemies and defeated those who hate us”.

Psalm 62:8.11 : “Trust in God in all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge”. “More than once I have heard God say that power belongs to him”.

The battle will be until the very end. Psalm 74:23/2 says: “the continuous noise made by your foes”. The fear is in every human being. But the fear to breach God’s will should be bigger than to breach human being’s wishes  (Judges 7: 9-10).

Gideon was afraid, but the fear of God was bigger. So Gideon’s preparation is preparation of God’s nation in the last days.

ByVladimir Shelkov

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